Justin Baldoni, who directed and starred in It Ends With Us alongside Blake Lively, recently opened up about his intense experience on the film’s set.

While the movie was a major box office success, earning around $242 million worldwide, rumors of tension between Baldoni and Lively surfaced, particularly after the two avoided posing together at the film’s premiere. Despite these reports, Baldoni shared his personal reflections on working with Lively and directing the film. In a revealing interview, Baldoni discussed a particularly emotional scene where his character, Ryle Kincaid, discovers Lily’s (Blake Lively) connection to Atlas (Brandon Sklenar) through her phone. Baldoni admitted that portraying Ryle’s jealousy and heartbreak was so overwhelming that it nearly caused a breakdown.

“I had to leave the set and cry, there was so much emotion,” he explained. Baldoni also spoke about the challenges of balancing both acting and directing in the film. “Directing can be a lonely role,” he shared. “You’re at the top, managing everyone’s questions while also bearing the weight of the project. It’s hard to share your anxieties when you’re supposed to lead.” Despite these pressures, Baldoni praised the experience, underscoring the personal growth and creative satisfaction that came with bringing Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel to life on screen.