Once celebrated for her charm and effortless grace, Blake Lively found herself at the center of a storm last summer. The actress, who starred in It Ends With Us in 2024, faced backlash after the film’s controversy took over headlines. What was meant to be a celebrated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel quickly turned into a cultural talking point, sparking scandalous debates. As the discussions deepened, so did the fallout, leaving Lively’s reputation bruised and prompting several of her friends and professional allies to quietly cut ties with her in the aftermath.

Before delving into which accomplices Blake Lively lost following the It Ends With Us fiasco, though, here is the larger picture of the controversy itself.

The It Ends With Us controversy began brewing in mid-2024, during the film’s press cycle, when reports surfaced of creative clashes between Blake Lively and director-co-star Justin Baldoni. By late summer, whispers of tension on set had turned public as sources described disagreements over production control and marketing. What started as speculation escalated in December 2024, when Lively, in The New York Times article, accused Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios, of fostering a hostile work environment and undertaking a smear campaign against her before filing complaints with California authorities and later a federal lawsuit in New York.

In response, Justin Baldoni launched his own $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit in January 2025, naming Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times, among others. However, according to the BBC, his cases were dismissed in June 2025, while Lively’s harassment and retaliation claims remain active. Lively, so far, appears to have the upper hand in the court of law, but Baldoni had released a string of evidence against her as their case proceeded. This evidence portrayed Lively in a negative light, leading many of her friends to distance themselves from her.

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Among the most famous names to cut ties with Blake Lively due to the It Ends With Us controversy are the godmother to her children, another popular face in their shared circle, and more.

1. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s friendship with Blake Lively reportedly began to fracture last year amid the ongoing legal battle between Lively and Justin Baldoni over It Ends With Us. Tensions escalated when Lively allegedly referred to Swift and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, as her “dragons” in text messages to Baldoni. In these messages, Lively compared herself to Khaleesi from Game of Thrones, implying that her “dragons” were there to protect those she fought for, including Baldoni.

The situation intensified when Swift was subpoenaed in connection with the case, though her team quickly clarified that her involvement was minimal, limited to a licensing issue for her song 'My Tears Ricochet' in the film. Despite not being a central figure, the legal entanglement reportedly left Swift feeling “used” and exploited by Lively. Sources now confirm that the fallout has been permanent, with the two stars no longer on speaking terms, and Lively not being on the list of guests for Swift’s impending wedding to Travis Kelce.

2. Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid has reportedly distanced herself from Lively amid the ongoing legal controversy involving Lively and Baldoni. According to PEOPLE sources, Hadid has chosen to align herself with Swift, who was subpoenaed in the case, leading to a cooling of her relationship with Lively. An insider noted that Hadid still considers Lively a friend but is currently maintaining her distance during this time.

3. Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends With Us, also stepped back from Lively amid the actress’s ongoing legal battle. Earlier, Hoover had shown open support for Lively, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram praising her honesty, kindness, and patience, along with a link to an article detailing Lively’s allegations against Baldoni. But as the controversy grew and headlines intensified, Hoover quietly removed all traces of both Lively and Baldoni from her social media.

Now back online, Hoover’s Instagram shows a noticeable shift. While she still follows Lively, there are no posts or mentions of her or Baldoni, signaling a step back from the drama. Her focus has turned to the upcoming movie adaptation of another book, Verity, starring Anne Hathaway. Hoover’s distancing reflects how even close supporters are being careful in the wake of the high-profile legal battle, navigating the situation with discretion while avoiding being drawn into the public fallout.

While there is no official confirmation that Blake Lively has lost any acting projects due to the It Ends With Us controversy, the dispute has clearly impacted her business ventures and public image. Her Target hair care line, per Fortune’s citation of her lawyers, saw sales drop by as much as 78 percent following the allegations and widespread media coverage. Additionally, the controversy has strained professional relationships and friendships within Hollywood, highlighting how legal battles and negative publicity can influence both personal and commercial aspects of a celebrity’s career.

The controversy surrounding Lively and It Ends With Us illustrates the delicate balance between public perception and professional relationships in Hollywood. Lawsuits, media scrutiny, and shifting alliances have reshaped how peers and audiences view her, creating both challenges and cautionary tales. The coming months will be defining, as the industry watches closely to see how reputations recover, collaborations evolve, and careers adapt in the wake of high-profile disputes that test both resilience and influence.

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