Jenny Slate’s Texts Reveal Damning On-Set Experiences During ‘It Ends With Us’ Production
Newly unsealed text messages from actress Jenny Slate offer a stark and critical perspective on teh working environment during the filming of It Ends With Us, adding another layer to the ongoing legal battle between blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni. The messages, revealed in a deposition transcript unsealed on Tuesday, September 26, 2025, detail Slate’s concerns about Baldoni and Wayfarer producer Jamey Heath’s behavior on set.
Slate, who played Alyssa – Baldoni’s character’s sister – in the adaptation of Colleen hoover’s bestselling novel, described the production as “a really gross and disturbing shoot,” stating she was “one of many who feel [this] way.” She and Lively,according to Slate’s testimony,”both complained” about the situation,with Slate concluding,”narcissist. Lots of lessons learned!”
The actress’s concerns extended beyond Baldoni’s public persona. In a May 2023 message to her former agent, during the film’s production, Slate described the situation as “interesting and also so shitty.” She characterized Baldoni and Heath as “truly unfit,” adding, “I’m not scared or anything, just repulsed and deeply irritated, and I know Blake is experiencing that on a much more serious level.”
Slate expressed a growing unease with the pair’s behavior,stating in a follow-up text that she felt the situation was “about to get really bad.” She voiced concern over Lively’s well-being, noting that Lively had already endured “crazy shit” from Baldoni and Heath, and admitted they “freak me out” due to their “weird lies” and Baldoni’s “astoundingly wrongheaded” views.
The texts also reveal slate’s skepticism towards Baldoni’s self-proclaimed progressive values, referencing his 2018 TED Talk on empowering women and redefining masculinity. “I really don’t get how he did a TED Talk,” she wrote. “He is worse than the bros I’ve encountered, not because he’s predatory but because of his general fragility and misogyny, like not seeming to be aware of any of the obvious no-no’s.”
A specific incident detailed in the deposition involved Baldoni allegedly commenting on Slate’s appearance, telling her, “I can say this because my wife is here, but you look sexy in what you’re wearing.” Slate described the remark as “not appropriate” in any professional setting, emphasizing that it was a personal comment, not related to her character, and “unwanted.” She explained that she didn’t confront Baldoni directly, feeling uncomfortable due to his position as her boss and the early stage of her involvement in the project.
Further demonstrating her discomfort, Slate informed her team in June 2023 that she did not want to be paired with either Baldoni or Heath during the film’s promotional tour, a stance she maintained throughout the press cycle. “I don’t want to do anything with Justin, I don’t want to talk about him, like … nothing. And the same goes for Jamey [Heath], who is truly unprofessional,” she messaged.
Representatives for Slate and Baldoni have not yet responded to requests for comment from The Hollywood Reporter.
Slate previously voiced her support for Lively following the initial allegations, stating that Lively is “a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support.” She described the revelations surrounding the alleged mistreatment of Lively as “terribly dark, disturbing and wholly threatening,” and affirmed her unwavering support for her friend.
These newly revealed texts offer a compelling and critical insight into the alleged on-set dynamics during the production of It Ends With us, further fueling the controversy surrounding the film and its key players as the legal proceedings continue.
