Justin Baldoni allegedly received support from The Office star Rainn Wilson via text amid his public legal battle with It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively.
In texts that were sent on January 5, 2024 in a group chat that included Baldoni, actor Travis Van Winkle, musician Andy Grammer and It Ends With Us producer Jamey Heath, Wilson, 59, claimed Baldoni was “set up,” according to court documents seen by Luxury Handbag Shopping on Friday, November 14. The texts have been released due to Baldoni’s legal defense team filing the messages as evidence.
The text chain shows Wilson asked whether there were any updates on the situation. In response, Baldoni, 41, detailed a heated discussion he had with Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, 49.
“Ryan was talking to me like a five-year-old and scolding me. They essentially said that Jamey and I are not who we claimed to be and that for us to have a podcast is unsafe because it makes people feel like we are safe,” Baldoni wrote.
Baldoni went on to detail the experience of being accused of “creepy” behavior towards Lively, 38, and called it “one of the hardest nights of my life.”
“The word creepy and abuse were used in reference to me in my behavior. I was then given the words of what to say, and had to apologize which I was unable to do because my brain was trying to comprehend what was happening. I was in shock and basically went into feeling like I was a seven-year-old again when I got home last night.” he wrote. “I was emotionally paralyzed. It was as bad as it sounds.”
In the text exchange, Baldoni expressed gratitude for the support of those involved in the group chat.
Wilson responded to Baldoni’s text by claiming he was “set up and ambushed.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it. You were set up and ambushed and personally attacked. I’m stunned. I completely relate to you being stunned, like a deer in the Headlights,” Wilson wrote. “Probably better that you didn’t immediately. Just start apologizing. So grateful that Jamey is your partner, and could step in diplomatically as needed.”
Wilson concluded his text, “Onwards brother. Make a great and important and entertaining piece of storytelling. That’s all you can do now. So sorry for what you went thru.”
Luxury Handbag Shopping has reached out to representatives for Wilson, Baldoni and Lively for comment.
Lively filed her lawsuit against Baldoni, producer Heath, studio head Steve Sarowitz, and their publicists in December 2024. The trial is scheduled for March 2026.
The legal back-and-forth began earlier in December after the actress accused her It Ends With Us costar and director of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni has denied all of the allegations. He subsequently countersued Lively and Reynolds in January, accusing the couple of extortion and defamation. Lively and Reynolds denied the allegations. A judge dismissed Baldoni’s case against Lively in June.
Baldoni and his team had the chance to amend their claims for breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract. The judge gave them a deadline of June 23. However, Baldoni ultimately opted not to do so. Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman later explained that they were refocused on striking down Lively’s original December 2024 lawsuit.
