'It Ends With Us' star Brandon Sklenar defends Blake Lively, Colleen Hoover amid backlash
"It Ends with Us" breakout star Brandon Sklenar is speaking out against backlash leveled at Blake Lively and author Colleen Hoover.
The actor, who also stars in the Paramount+ "Yellowstone" spinoff "1923", is clapping back at critics of Lively and Hoover, who wrote the bestselling book that led to a live-action adaptation. In an Instagram post Tuesday, he penned a lengthy statement aimed at "all this stuff swirling online."
"Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves," Sklenar wrote on social media.
He continued: "Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about."
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Since its Aug. 9 release, the film has been the subject of online criticism and debate. Some social media users have argued that Hoover has perpetuated and promoted longstanding tropes about domestic abuse in relationships, while others online have speculated about an alleged behind-the-scenes feud between Lively and the movie's director and co-lead Justin Baldoni.
None of the main cast members of "It Ends with Us" follow Baldoni on the social media platform, as of publication. Lively follows Sklenar, Hoover and co-star Jenny Slate.
Amid speculation of a feud, Baldoni has employed a PR manager, highly experienced in crises, per reports. According to The Hollywood Reporter and People Magazine, Baldoni has partnered with Melissa Nathan, founder of The Agency Group PR, who previously represented Johnny Depp during his highly publicized legal struggles.
'It Ends with Us' drama explained: What's going on between Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni?
In Sklenar's statement posted to Instagram, he wrote, "What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film," calling the "amount of negativity" online "disheartening."
The movie follows a flower shop owner named Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), who falls in love with a dashing neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) and reconnects with her stoic childhood sweetheart, Atlas Corrigan (Sklenar).
"Trust me when I tell you, there isn't a single person (involved) in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this," Sklenar added. "A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma, domestic abuse or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see."
He continued, telling his followers that "It Ends With Us" is "is meant to inspire. It's meant to validate and recognize. It's meant to instill hope. It's meant to build courage and help people feel less alone." He added that it's also meant to spread love and awareness, and it's not meant to "make the women the 'bad guy.'"
Contributing: Patrick Ryan, Pamela Avila, Edward Segarra
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blake Lively's 'It Ends With Us' co-star Brandon Sklenar defends her
