Inside the Controversial Feud: Justin Baldoni’s Faith and Hollywood’s Power Struggle

by

During the making of the film “It Ends With Us“, a recurring and intriguing tale spread among the crew. This story suggested that Justin Baldoni and author Colleen Hoover, who wrote “It Ends With Us“, shared a profound spiritual connection. Allegedly, they were both part of a little-known Iranian religious group called Baha’i. It was claimed that this shared faith (as the rumor had it) played a significant role in helping the 41-year-old director acquire the rights to “It Ends With Us“.

The claims made about Hoover’s upbringing, religious affiliations, and the spiritual nature of securing her book rights are false. Contrary to speculation, Hoover was raised in a small Texas town among Southern Baptists, and she has never been associated with the Baha’i community. The deal for her book, It Ends with Us, was brokered by Johanna Castillo, who is both Hoover’s former editor and literary agent. When Hoover learned of these rumors following filming completion, she felt upset but chose to disregard them rather than address the matter publicly (Simon & Schuster, Hoover’s publisher, declined to comment).

Nevertheless, this tale offers valuable insights, casting some illuminating light on a controversial and highly debated public conflict that has grabbed significant attention within the world of contemporary Hollywood.

For individuals who have managed to steer clear of the recent controversy, Lively’s December complaint to the California Civil Rights Department sparked the initial skirmish in this contentious dispute. In her lawsuit, she alleged that Baldoni and his partner Jamey Heath engaged in various inappropriate actions – such as barging in on Lively while she was breastfeeding, using explicit language on set, disregarding safety protocols, and orchestrating a negative campaign against the actress when she stood up to him. Since then, more lawsuits have been filed, including two by Baldoni himself. He initiated a libel lawsuit worth $250 million against The New York Times following their report on Lively’s allegations, and another suit seeking $400 million in damages against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation and other contractual violations. A court has scheduled the trial for March 9, 2026.

Initially, the dispute between Lively and Baldoni has been portrayed as the latest installment in Hollywood’s struggle for gender equality. It has revived discussions on sexual harassment and power dynamics that were previously quiet. However, it’s also plausible to consider an alternative interpretation, one rooted less in gender equality and more in a cultural misunderstanding. Could it be that a significant portion of the conflict – the allegations of inappropriate hugging and pre-filming prayers – might stem from a collision between a faith-based community with distinct customs, and a contemporary, post #MeToo society with its own set of values and guidelines?

Over the last few weeks, we’ve spoken to several friends, colleagues, and members of the Baha’i community to understand if and how this religion might have played a role in Baldoni’s situation. Baldoni, who was born into a family that had converted to the Baha’i faith before him and grew up in California, has been open about his strong faith in Baha’i, which emphasizes humanitarian values, unity, and equality between genders. It’s also evident from conversations with those close to him that Baldoni carries unique ways of expressing himself and behaving, many of which are influenced by the teachings of his religion. At times, these distinct behaviors have clashed with modern Hollywood norms, which in recent years have grown stricter, more uniform, and heavily monitored due to movements like #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, and the COVID pandemic.

Examining this disagreement from the perspective of a 180-year-old belief system rich in mysticism, certain aspects of the conflict seem to become clearer.

A source involved in the production of ‘It Ends With Us’ stated, ‘The Justin I am familiar with wouldn’t be capable of the actions he’s been accused of due to his strong feminist beliefs. However, it appears Blake found the situation uncomfortable.’ They described it as a clash between two distinct personalities.

***

In the professional gatherings I attend with Baldoni and Wayfarer executives, we kick things off by inviting everyone to share something personal, a source of joy unrelated to our work or careers. This kind of icebreaker might be appreciated in circles like yoga instructors or doulas, but among busy agents, lawyers, and studio execs – folks not typically known for their emotional openness – such a gesture can carry risks.

A female executive from a production company recounted her thoughts as, ‘I’m sorry, do we seem to be at Café Gratitude here?’ during last year’s meeting with Wayfarer executives, including Baldoni. She questioned why they were introducing their culture into a meeting taking place at our offices. The atmosphere left her feeling uneasy, and she found it difficult to pinpoint the reason.

In 2019, Wayfarer Studios was established by Baldoni and Steve Sarowitz, another Baha’i follower who is also a billionaire. He invested $125 million into this independent production studio that specializes in creating content with purpose. Prior to venturing into the entertainment industry, Sarowitz made his fortune as the chairman of software company Paylocity. His initial project in this field was the 2018 docudrama titled “The Gate: Dawn of the Baha’i Faith“, which focused on the origins of his religion.

In a recent interview with Inspired Insider, Sarowitz described his partnership with Baldoni as ‘I have the financial aspect and he has the popularity.’ Additionally, Heath, the president of Wayfarer, and other Wayfarer employees are adherents of the Baha’i faith. Sarowitz explained to Inspired Insider, ‘We view ourselves as one global family.’ While they don’t require everyone to follow the Baha’i faith, their aim is to promote teachings of unity through Wayfarer.

The Baha’i religion originated from the Babi faith, established in what is now Iran in 1844 by Mirza Ali Mohammad, who took on the title of the Báb. One of the Báb’s earliest followers came to be known as Bahá’u’lláh and is regarded as the founder of the Baha’i faith. Today, this religion has between 5 and 8 million adherents across over 230 countries, making it one of the most globally distributed religions. The Baha’i scriptures, known as the Baha’i writings, are similar in significance to the Old and New Testaments for Christians, and they were authored by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and several others. Los Angeles has one of the largest Baha’i communities in the U.S., with approximately 3,000 members. Within the entertainment industry, there is a small but active group that openly supports the Baha’i faith. Actors such as Rainn Wilson and Penn Badgley have publicly declared their devotion to this faith.

Over the course of their existence, Baha’is have experienced systematic oppression, notably in Iran where they are frequently arrested, detained and incarcerated. Unlike many faiths, Baha’ism does not have a hierarchical structure; there are no popes, priests or clergy. Instead, they elect spiritual assemblies to govern their affairs. As per Zackery Heern, a Baha’i professor of history specializing in religion at Idaho State University, this absence of a clergy or priesthood offers tremendous leeway for interpreting the sacred texts.

He emphasizes that everyone is entitled to develop and delve into their personal understanding of the Baha’i scriptures. While some meanings may be clearly stated within the texts, he encourages caution in interpreting them. However, no one has the power to declare another person’s interpretation as incorrect.

Regardless, an unyielding set of principles governs here. Key elements involve harmonizing faith and scientific knowledge, ensuring absolute gender equality, and abstaining from premarital sex, drinking alcohol, or using drugs. The primary practices revolve around prayer, fasting, and meditation.

Prior to the release of “It Ends With Us”, Baldoni had no qualms about incorporating aspects of his faith on set. As a source who worked on the 2019 film “Five Feet Apart”, which Baldoni directed, stated, “He often discussed his beliefs. This wasn’t full-blown Scientology, but it did have similarities, albeit with less intensity and constant supervision.

A different individual involved in the production of “Five Feet Apart” holds a contrasting viewpoint about Justin Baldoni and his religious impact on set. According to this person, they’ve rarely encountered a male director as concerned with everyone’s emotional and mental well-being. The source describes Baldoni’s directing style as open and emotionally expressive, which is often associated with women. If the director were female, this approach might not raise questions. However, when a group of workers are told to share their feelings, some may question Baldoni’s behavior, labeling it as unusual. The source suggests that Justin truly believes this approach will improve teamwork. There’s an element of arrogance in his conviction, and it seems he does not fully acknowledge the realities of our world.

During the production of “It Ends With Us,” directed and produced by Baldoni through Wayfarer, the influence of the Baha’i faith on set was particularly noticeable. On the initial day of filming, some crew members were involved in a Baha’i prayer, as reported by one source. Other reports suggest that Baldoni often sought divine guidance before making crucial creative decisions for the movie. Additionally, it was observed that there was an uncommon level of camaraderie among the crew, expressed through frequent hugging. As Heern explains, “The faith’s teachings and concepts are adapted to different cultural settings. In France, followers might be more open to physical touch like hugging, while in Saudi Arabia, it may not be as common.

In Lively’s lawsuit, it doesn’t directly mention the Baha’i faith explicitly, but upon careful reading, it seems that the religion was present on the set. As stated in her lawsuit, Lively expressed concern when she discovered that the actor playing the doctor during the intimate birthing scene, Baldoni, wasn’t just his friend, but also a fellow Baha’i (with his most notable credit being The Gate: Dawn of the Baha’i Faith)).

In her outfit, Lively alleged that Baldoni asserted he had the ability to communicate with spirits and claimed he had spoken to her deceased father who passed away in 2021. This aligns with a 2017 lecture Baldoni delivered as part of a Baha’i Teachings series titled “What If Birth and Death Are Actually the Same?” He has also mentioned his fascination with the afterlife in various interviews. “The people we love dearly who are no longer here send us subtle signs,” Baldoni stated on the Gent’s Talk podcast. “I frequently sense a gentle push.

As per Heern’s explanation, while there is a significant belief in an afterlife within Baha’i faith, their scriptures do not delve deeply into the topic of seances. He further clarifies that such practices are generally discouraged and can be considered somewhat unconventional within the Baha’i community.

In the course of working with cast members, it wasn’t only Baldoni who encountered difficulties. The Hollywood Reporter has uncovered additional details about the nature of the grievance lodged by Jenny Slate, referenced in court documents but with her name omitted. The issue stemmed from an interaction regarding an apartment that Slate had rented in New York City for the filming of “It Ends with Us.” Slate, who has a toddler, wasn’t satisfied with the rental but moving wasn’t feasible due to the substantial security deposit, approximately $15,000. Heath allegedly informed Slate that Wayfarer would reimburse her for the lost security deposit so she could find better living conditions; however, sources claim he expressed this offer in a manner that made Slate uneasy, focusing excessively on the sacredness of motherhood and Slate’s role as a mother. As a result, she reported the incident to the film’s distributor Sony. A representative for Slate did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

As per some reports, Heath perceives their interactions differently. He’s been known to express that even seemingly friendly gestures from Wayfarer were turned into weapons against them.

***

In the teachings of Baha’i faith, there are no specific guidelines on how to conduct oneself on a movie set or when collaborating with prominent actors like an A-list star. However, individuals who have collaborated with Baldoni suggest that he generally tends to be respectful, sometimes to an excessive degree, which could stem from his religious beliefs, personal character, or self-acknowledged neurodivergence (mentioned in legal documents).

The insider from the production of “Five Feet Apart” comments on Baldoni’s collaborative directing approach, stating that everyone, regardless of position within the team, is equally valuable. They were encouraged to voice any issues within their community, a term Baldoni often used to describe the team itself.

It’s not surprising that this vacancy in power occurred on the set of It Ends With Us, as deference had been the norm. Insiders report that Lively eagerly filled this gap, taking charge willingly.

In my role as the filmmaker behind “It Ends with Us,” I undeniably held a significant influence due to the financial backing of my production company. However, compared to A-list celebrities, I’m more like a rising star. While I’ve made a mark on television shows such as “Jane the Virgin” and have directed several features, documentaries, and an episode of “Jane the Virgin,” I’m still carving my niche in the industry.

On the other hand, Blake Lively has been a household name for over a decade in the film world. She’s among the actresses whose star power is strong enough to persuade a studio to greenlight a project. Add to that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, one of today’s most bankable actors, and together they make up one of the most influential couples in Hollywood.

Ari Emanuel expressed that the situation wasn’t quite just, considering the influence Baldoni held compared to Lively, during a recent gathering. However, this lack of fairness didn’t prevent Emanuel from mockingly calling Baldoni ‘Baloney,’ nor from terminating his representation, which also includes Lively and Reynolds. WME, moreover, dropped Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, which might lead to the loss of projects like Pac Man, potentially costing them hundreds of millions of dollars. According to multiple sources, Reynolds has been quite proactive lately, reaching out across the industry to gather support from friends and associates. Emanuel added, ‘I’ve known Ryan and Blake for over a decade. They are truly remarkable individuals. In Hollywood, they have achieved great success.’

The tension between Baldoni and Lively peaked when filming resumed following a six-month halt due to the WGA strike. A meeting was convened with representatives from Wayfarer, Sony, Lively, and Reynolds in attendance to discuss the terms for resuming production. During this Jan. 4, 2024 gathering, Lively voiced her intention to depart the project unless Baldoni and Heath agreed to a sweeping list of 30 demands. These demands implied that there had been incidents involving unprofessional conduct and inappropriate behavior on set. In response, Baldoni and Heath complied with these demands.

According to a source close to Baldoni who expresses both warmth and understanding towards him, ‘It was a mistake for him to approve that.’ However, if you carefully read the statement, it doesn’t promise an overall change of behavior. Instead, it vows not to repeat a specific action. There is indeed a significant distinction.

Last Saturday, at Studio 8H, many stars from Hollywood’s elite attended the special event marking Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary. The show was graced by celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Cher, Kevin Costner, Jack Nicholson, and numerous others, including Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. During a live question-and-answer segment moderated by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Fey asked Reynolds how he was doing, to which he replied “I’m doing great. Why, what have you heard?” This exchange caused laughter, with Lively watching on, playing the role of a concerned partner.

The effort was made to divert attention from the gravity of the situation, but it’s clear that Lively and Reynolds are deeply embroiled in a dispute where each party views themselves as the wronged party. Lively has confided in her friends that she sees this conflict as more than just personal, possibly marking a significant turning point in the #MeToo movement. Meanwhile, on the other side stands a wealthy producer, a newcomer director, and a few Baha’i workers who view their actions as adhering to their faith’s moral teachings.

Could they both be right?

Read More

2025-02-21 17:27