Jenny Slate texts reveal harsh criticism of Justin Baldoni as It Ends With Us legal fight continues

Newly unsealed court documents have revealed private text messages from Jenny Slate that show how negatively she felt about working with Justin Baldoni during the filming of It Ends With Us.

The messages were made public on Tuesday as part of Blake Lively’s ongoing legal case against Baldoni. They were read aloud during Slate’s deposition, which took place on September 26, 2025, in New York. The deposition transcript and other evidence were recently unsealed by the court.

“Gross and disturbing” set experience

Slate, who played Allysa (the sister of Baldoni’s character Ryle Kincaid), told the court that working on the film was deeply upsetting. In one text message, she described the shoot as “really gross and disturbing” and said she was “one of many” who felt that way. She also said that she and Lively both complained directly to the studio about what was happening on set.

In several texts, Slate accused Baldoni of presenting himself publicly as something he was not. In one message, she wrote that he was a “false ally” and said she did not want to help promote what she described as his image as a “male feminist.” In another, she called him a “fraud,” a “clown,” and an “intense narcissist.”

Concerns about Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath

Slate also raised concerns about Baldoni and Wayfarer producer Jamey Heath in messages sent to her former agent in May 2023, while production was ongoing.

She said both men were “unfit” and described feeling “repulsed and deeply irritated” by their behavior. In those texts, she noted that while she herself was not scared, she believed Lively was dealing with a much more serious situation.

In a follow-up message, Slate said she felt things were “about to get really bad” and claimed Lively had already endured “a lot of crap” from them. She added that Baldoni and Heath “freaked [her] out,” accusing them of telling “really weird lies” and describing Baldoni as “astoundingly wrongheaded.”

Reference to Baldoni’s TED Talk

Slate also mentioned Baldoni’s 2018 TED Talk, in which he spoke about redefining masculinity and empowering women. She said she did not understand how he gave such a talk, describing him as “fragile” and “misogynistic,” and saying he seemed unaware of basic professional boundaries.

Comment about her appearance

During her deposition, Slate was questioned about an incident in which Baldoni allegedly commented on her appearance, telling her, “I can say this because my wife is here, but you look sexy in what you’re wearing.”

Slate said the remark was inappropriate for a film set or any workplace. She explained that the comment was about her personally, not about her character, and had nothing to do with her acting. She said it was unwanted and made her uncomfortable.

Slate testified that she did not confront Baldoni about the comment because it happened on her first or second day on set. She said he was her boss, and she just wanted to do her job and leave.

Refusal to promote the film with Baldoni

The deposition also revealed that in June 2023, Slate told her team she did not want to be paired with Baldoni or Heath during promotion for the film. She maintained that position throughout the press tour, writing that she did not want to talk about Baldoni or appear with him in any way. She also described Heath as “truly unprofessional.”

Background of the legal case

Reports of tension between Lively and Baldoni first surfaced in August 2024. The situation escalated in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation. She later filed a formal lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer.

Baldoni responded with his own lawsuit, but it was dismissed in June 2025. The trial in Lively’s case is currently scheduled to begin on May 18.

After Lively filed her initial complaint, Slate publicly supported her co-star. In a statement, she praised Lively’s leadership and bravery and said she stood by her side, calling the alleged actions against Lively “dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening.”