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Brandon Sklenar just revealed the shocking toll of picking sides in Hollywood’s biggest scandal. The 35-year-old actor was caught in the crossfire between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni during It Ends With Us promotion, and people sent him death messages online.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Timeline: August 2024 press tour sparked backlash against Sklenar after his Instagram post asking for kindness
- Death Threats: Sklenar revealed commenters told him “I hope you die” and “I hope your career ends”
- Visibility: The actor said his fame “shot through the roof” despite playing Atlas Corrigan, a supporting role
- Breaking News: Full details came out in December 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter
Unexpected Fallout From Standing With The Women
During the It Ends With Us press tour, Brandon Sklenar posted an Instagram message asking fans to focus on the film’s core message about domestic abuse. He defended author Colleen Hoover and the female cast against online attacks. What he thought was a compassionate plea backfired immediately. “There was a big learning curve for me,” Sklenar told The Hollywood Reporter in his new profile, adding that his visibility skyrocketed despite his smaller supporting role.
The backlash blindsided him. “I wasn’t damning anybody,” the 1923 star explained, “but I was just like, can we focus on the ethos of this whole f***ing movie and not be so hateful to anybody?” Fans interpreted his message as choosing Lively’s side in her feud with director Baldoni, and thousands responded with rage.
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Horrifying Online Comments Reached Actor’s Eyes
Sklenar said people flooded his comments with “I hope you die,” “you’re a piece of s***,” and “I hope your career ends.” His agent begged him to stay offline, but the allure proved too strong. “Imagine you’re walking down a hallway and there’s a door to a room full of 100,000 people and they’re all saying something about you,” he described the experience. “You tell me you’re not going to put your ear to the door?” The death threats and vicious comments took a real psychological toll.
The situation grew more complex when Blake Lively filed her lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024 with accusations of sexual harassment. Sklenar then posted screenshots of her complaint to his Instagram Stories, writing “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS.” His public backing of Lively only amplified the divide among fans.
Behind-the-Scenes Context of the Movie Scandal
| Event | Date |
| It Ends With Us premiere and press tour | August 2024 |
| Sklenar posts Instagram plea for kindness | August 20, 2024 |
| Blake Lively files lawsuit against Baldoni | December 2024 |
| Sklenar releases Hollywood Reporter interview | December 17, 2025 |
The Blake Lively versus Justin Baldoni legal battle created a toxic environment where even well-intentioned cast members faced harassment. Sklenar wasn’t even directly involved in their conflict, yet took flames from both sides. Lively played lead character Lily Bloom while Baldoni directed and played abusive partner Ryle Kincaid. The tension between them dominated headlines throughout the film’s release.
“It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online. Before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who its helping. Ask yourself if your opinions are based in any fact. Or if you simply want to be part of something. Let’s be part of something better together.”
— Brandon Sklenar, Instagram post from August 2024
Career Momentum Continues Despite Harassment
Remarkably, Sklenar bounced back stronger. The harassment that flooded his mentions didn’t derail his ascent in Hollywood. He went on to star in Drop alongside Meghann Fahy in 2025, and recently appeared in the thriller The Housemaid with Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. Director Paul Feig revealed that Blake Lively herself recommended Sklenar for the role, showing continued professional support despite the chaos surrounding their shared movie.
Sklenar also bonded with Sweeney over their shared experiences with unwanted attention and online disputes. Both actors have learned to block out the noise and focus on their craft instead. The 1923 star hopes people remember what It Ends With Us truly represents: hope, perseverance, and women choosing healthier futures for themselves.
Will Brandon Sklenar’s Openness Change How Fans Treat Celebrities?
By breaking his silence in December 2025, Sklenar highlights a disturbing trend in entertainment fandom. When celebrities engage in disputes, third parties get caught in the crosshairs and routinely face death wishes from rabid fans. The Hollywood Reporter interview marks one of the first times a supporting actor addressed the psychological impact of being collateral damage in a major scandal. Whether his honest account will humble the online community remains to be seen, but Sklenar‘s willingness to speak out sends a powerful message about the human cost of parasocial relationships and toxic fandom culture.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter – Brandon Sklenar interview detailing online harassment and death threats
- Us Weekly – Comprehensive coverage of Brandon Sklenar’s death threats amid It Ends With Us lawsuit
- People Magazine – Brandon Sklenar recalls commenters saying “I hope you die” after speaking out
