Blake Lively's allegations regarding a smear campaign in her sexual harassment complaint against co-star Justin Baldoni have reignited the controversy surrounding "It Ends With Us," placing the actor-director under intense scrutiny. 

In an interview conducted over three years ago, Baldoni candidly discussed his early exposure to pornography and the subsequent development of an "unhealthy" relationship with it. He revealed on Sarah Grynberg’s “A Life of Greatness” podcast in July 2021, “I was introduced to porn when I was 10 years old, long before I could even comprehend my feelings or experience physical attraction.” 

He elaborated, stating, “For any young boy encountering breasts for the first time, it is thrilling, especially since our culture has kept them hidden from us, rendering them sexualized. This is a cultural phenomenon.”

Justin Baldoni reveals his struggle with porn addiction.

In a candid revelation, the 40-year-old Hollywood actor acknowledged his tendency to seek solace in pornography during difficult times. He stated, “I conditioned my mind to cope with pain through the release of dopamine… However, this does not imply that I am not engaging with something in a detrimental manner.”

He further conveyed to the podcast host that he frequently resorted to “images and videos of naked women when I was feeling particularly low about myself.” Drawing comparisons between the American entertainment industry’s tendency to “sexualize” the female form and the perspectives found in other cultures, he remarked, “In regions like Africa and among various tribes … the breast is simply a breast.”

Baldoni elaborated, “We have imbued this aspect with sexual connotations, which naturally makes it intriguing and captivating, leading one to exclaim, ‘Oh my God, breasts.’ Consequently, hormones begin to surge.”

The drama of It Ends With Us is a perpetual cycle.

The remarks made by the actor from It Ends With Us regarding his lifelong struggle with porn addiction, which emerged from a year-old interview, have resurfaced following allegations against Baldoni by a former Gossip Girl cast member concerning his purportedly inappropriate behaviour and the creation of a toxic work environment.

Documents submitted on Friday, December 20, indicate that during a comprehensive meeting involving Ryan Reynolds, the husband of the A Simple Favor actress, Baldoni was allegedly cautioned against displaying "nude videos or images of women" to his co-star. He was also reportedly advised to refrain from discussing his "porn addiction" and to cease making comments about the "genitalia of cast and crew," among other inappropriate discussions related to sex scenes.

Furthermore, Lively accused Justin of strategically manipulating the surrounding narrative to "damage" her reputation.

The lawsuit filed by the Shallows actress was met with strong denials, as Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed the allegations as "entirely false, outrageous, and deliberately sensational." His defence focused on Lively, suggesting that she was engaging in "another desperate attempt to 'repair' negative reputations."

This significant lawsuit involving the cast of It Ends With Us comes just months after the film's premiere in August 2024, which sparked initial speculation about a potential feud between the lead actors. Since then, Lively and Baldoni have not been seen together in any promotional materials, interviews, or even at their own film premiere.

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