Justin Baldoni Writes Heartfelt Message to Domestic Violence Survivors AfterIt Ends with UsRelease: 'You Inspire Us All'

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoni.Photo:Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Justin Baldoniis sending “gratitude, strength and love” to survivors of domestic violence.

On Friday, Aug. 30, theIt Ends with Usdirector and star, 40, posteda moving open letteron Instagram — now weeks after the release of the blockbusteradaption of the Colleen Hoover novelof the same name, which features domestic violence as one of its complex themes.

The letter, which begins with “Dear survivor,” was shared with theSurvivor Love Lettercommunity organization and theNo More Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of domestic and sexual violence.

“You embody resilience and courage, qualities that shine bright even on the darkest days,” Baldoni wrote in the letter. “In the tapestry of your life, each thread tells a story of endurance, strength and hope. Every step forward you take, no matter how small, is a declaration of your unyielding spirit and an inspiration to others.”

“You may not always see the impact you have, but your journey encourages and motivates, lighting the path for those of us still searching for the light,” he continued. “While I can never fully understand your pain and all you have endured, I want you to know that you are never alone in this fight. We are with you.”

Justin Baldoni on the set of ‘It Ends with Us’.Jojo Whilden

Jojo Whilden

Baldoni’s message comes less than a month sinceIt Ends with Usarrived in theaters on Aug. 9. In the film,Blake Livelyand Baldoni star asLily Bloom and Ryle, respectively, with Lively also serving as a producer.

When asked what he will remember of the film, Baldoni toldEntertainment Tonightat the movie’s New York City premiere on Aug. 6 that “what comes to mind isn’t so much the work that went into it but the ‘why’ behind it.”

“The ‘why’ was that if a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and she leaves the theater and chooses something different for herself,” he explained. “That’s why I made the movie.”

Lively, 37, emphasized the film’s “story of the female experience” on her Instagram Stories following its opening weekend last month.

“All the highest highs, and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it,” she wrote at the time. “We have been in celebration of this film and of getting a message so important out there to the masses. Thank you all for embracingIt Ends with Uswith the same love, pain and joy we had sharing it with you all.”

Since the film’s release and amid its promotional tour, there have beenrumors of a riftbetween Lively and Baldoni. Speaking about “what may or may not have happened behind the scenes,” fellowIt Ends with Usstar Brandon Sklenar wrote in his own Instagram letter on Aug. 20 that it “hopefully should not detractfrom what our intentions were in making this film.”

“Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves,” Sklenar, 34, wrote at the time. “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. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com