‘It Ends With Us’ star Brandon Sklenar slams ‘disheartening’ rumors that are ‘vilifying’ Blake Lively

nypost.com:

feuded on the set of the film, their co-star Brandon Sklenar released a lengthy statement on Instagram Tuesday, telling fans to put an end to the online hate. “Hey everyone.

I wanted to take a minute and address all this stuff swirling online,” Sklenar, 34, began his message.“Colleen [Hoover] and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance and for women choosing a better life for themselves,” he said. “Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about.

It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”Based on Hoover’s best-selling book, “It Ends With Us” stars Lively, 36, as Lily Bloom, a woman in an abusive relationship.

Baldoni, 40, (who also directed the movie) plays her boyfriend and abuser, Ryle Kincaid. Sklenar plays Lily’s long lost love, Atlas Corrigan.Lively has been criticized for failing to discuss the film’s domestic violence theme and instead promoting her new haircare line, Blake Brown Beauty, and her floral fashions.Meanwhile, Baldoni has hired crisis public relations manager Melissa Nathan amid feud allegations.Sklenar mentioned the speculative behind-the-scenes drama in his statement. “What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film,” he wrote.