Blake Lively’s co-star Justin Baldoni candidly discusses his past ‘unhealthy’ relationship with porn in resurfaced chat about masculinity – amid It Ends With Us controversy

Blake Lively's co-star Justin Baldoni candidly discusses his past 'unhealthy' relationship with porn in resurfaced chat about masculinity - amid It Ends With Us controversy

As a woman who has walked the red carpet and faced my fair share of public scrutiny, I can empathize with Blake Lively’s recent predicament. It’s never easy to navigate the waters of Hollywood, where every word and action is under a microscope. However, her response to the interview question about discussing the movie’s themes was certainly not her finest moment.


Justin Baldoni’s comments about his past ‘unhealthy’ relationship with porn have resurfaced amid the controversy surrounding his new movie It Ends With Us.

40-year-old actor and his fellow performer, Blake Lively, have received significant criticism online due to whispers of a continuous disagreement between them, leading both parties to avoid promoting their joint film in interviews.

In addition to allegations that she inappropriately supported the movie, which is adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel detailing an abusive relationship, Blake, aged 36, faced criticism. Meanwhile, director Justin received accolades for his heartfelt talk addressing domestic violence.

Back in 2021, an interview with me (Justin) emerged where I discussed my struggles with conventional masculinity and shared personal insights into my challenging teenage years, particularly regarding unhealthy engagement with pornography.

Proving himself to be a longtime activist, Justin spoke about the problem with his introduction to pornography when he was 10 years old on Aussie mindset coach Sarah Grynberg’s A Life of Greatness podcast. 

During the chat, Justin candidly admitted he ‘sought refuge’ in porn when he was ‘sad or lonely’ and told how he, like many other men, had an ‘unhealthy’ relationship with it.

He revealed that at age ten, he first encountered pornography. He explained further that this happened well before he had any physical responses like an erection or had developed feelings about anything.

‘We’ve sexualized this thing, so of course it becomes fascinating and interesting and you’re like, ”oh my God, boobs”. And then, you know, hormones start raging.   

Blake Lively's co-star Justin Baldoni candidly discusses his past 'unhealthy' relationship with porn in resurfaced chat about masculinity - amid It Ends With Us controversy

In my personal experience, I have noticed a concerning trend among young boys, and this is based on both my observations and statistical data. Many of these boys, often unaware, find themselves drawn towards pornography as a means to cope with their emotions during formative years. They might be dealing with pain, sadness, loss, or loneliness, and instead of finding healthy ways to process these feelings, they turn to this unhealthy coping mechanism. This is an issue that affects a staggeringly high number of men, making it a significant concern for our society as a whole.

At times when I felt lonely, deserted, or wounded, I often found solace in it. This was not just because I sought the thrill it provided, which I later learned was a dopamine rush – something I wasn’t aware of then. From a young age, I conditioned my mind to cope with pain by indulging in experiences that would trigger this dopamine release.

Justin further clarified that he abstains from consuming alcohol and using drugs, however, he admitted to engaging with pornography in an excessive or harmful manner for quite some time.

As a person who maintains a spiritual lifestyle, abstaining from alcohol and any form of substance use such as smoking marijuana or doing drugs, I don’t engage in these activities. However, this doesn’t imply that I don’t have unhealthy habits; it merely means I choose to express my life in ways other than these substances.

Over time, I’ve noticed that I often turn to viewing nude images or videos of women when I’m experiencing periods of low self-esteem.

‘I realized it was a problem for me because whenever I tried to convince myself not to do something, I found myself wanting to do it instead.’

In a discussion centered around his publication titled “Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity,” Justin spoke out against the potential impact of explicit, violent pornography on shaping young male perspectives about consent. He underscored the significance of comprehensive sex education in this context.

He clarified that while he’s not condemning the entire porn industry, he is expressing his personal feelings about his involvement with it.

As a lifestyle expert, I strongly feel that the kind of pornography many young men are exposed to can be extremely violent. Unfortunately, these days, there’s often a lack of open conversations about consent. Consequently, for many of us, our understanding of this crucial aspect of healthy relationships may be shaped, albeit unwittingly, by the portrayals we see in pornography.

Having grown up as a young woman, I can attest to the reality of a pervasive issue: a generation of boys who have been socialized into misunderstanding consent. In my life, I’ve encountered situations where my “no” or “stop” was not respected or even seen as an invitation for more. It saddens me deeply to see this pattern repeated in the lives of other girls and women today. The notion that ‘that means it’s good’ when a girl says no is not only harmful but also dangerous, and we must work together to change this mindset.

Blake Lively's co-star Justin Baldoni candidly discusses his past 'unhealthy' relationship with porn in resurfaced chat about masculinity - amid It Ends With Us controversy

Justin expressed gratitude for not encountering similar content during his youth, yet he acknowledged that the research on pornography is concerning.

The extensive interview has reemerged following the public acclaim he received for his comments on domestic violence during the premiere of It Ends With Us, with Blake facing criticism for her approach to promoting the movie.

Justin, not only the director but also a producer and an actor in the film, garnered praise online for his bold approach in addressing the movie’s weighty topics directly, resonating with viewers.

During a visit to a cinema at The Grove in Los Angeles, the actor urged audience members to consider the potential impact of the film “It Ends With Us” on others.

The movie revolves around themes of love, optimism, and romance, but it delves into something quite grave as well – domestic abuse within relationships, he shared with the audience.

Let me express that it’s quite common and can be found almost anywhere. It’s likely that some individuals in this gathering have experienced it personally.

If at the movie’s end, someone appears to be all by themselves, looking shaken or emotional, think about approaching them to offer assistance. Could you ask them if there’s anything you could do to help?

Justin emphasized that individuals who may not have connected with the characters’ experiences should nonetheless spend some thoughtful moments pondering the message conveyed by the themes.

As a fervent admirer, I implore everyone who witnesses this magnificent movie to ponder deeply upon its conclusion. Reflect on this question: “Which loop in my life could I shatter next?” This was the thought-provoking parting message he shared.

I can’t contain my excitement! Just minutes after a snippet of his speech was posted on TikTok, it exploded, racking up over 961,000 views like wildfire! People were drawn to the comments section like bees to honey, showering Justin with praise for his powerful words.

In the role of main character Lily Bloom, opposite Justin’s portrayal of Ryle Kincaid, Blake has faced criticism in the past over her response to a question concerning the film’s weighty subjects during an interview.

When a journalist inquired about how fans relating to her “Gossip Girl” persona might communicate with her, her witty yet biting reply sparked widespread anger among the public.

Instead of suggesting that domestic violence victims could reach out to experts for assistance or providing them with helpful resources, she found amusement in the idea of being a resource for such victims herself.

Blake Lively's co-star Justin Baldoni candidly discusses his past 'unhealthy' relationship with porn in resurfaced chat about masculinity - amid It Ends With Us controversy

The interviewer stated, ‘Those who identify strongly with the themes portrayed in this film may feel compelled to discuss their feelings with you.’

‘This movie is going to affect people and they’re going to want to tell you about their life.

If a person recognizes the main ideas from this film and encounters you in public, and they wish to discuss it with you, how could they do so effectively? What advice would you offer for initiating such a conversation?

Blake appeared disinterested when it came to the thought of people approaching her to talk about the intense subjects portrayed in the movie.

She sarcastically replied: ‘Ask for my address or my phone number.’

Instead, she hinted at sharing her location with a suggestion that continued unfinished, followed by a laugh that some deemed insensitive.

Blake faced criticism following her interview with Jenny Slate, Isabela Ferrer, and author Colleen on The It Ends With Us project, as she neglected to delve into the main subject matter.

During their conversation, the four ladies discussed a range of topics – from their ideal careers to their astrological signs. However, it’s worth noting that they did not bring up the subject of domestic violence during their chat.

Later on, Blake decided to use Instagram to spread awareness about domestic violence and provide helpful resources for her fans.

She provided a set of links containing a support hotline for domestic violence survivors, along with facts, figures, and additional details.

‘Everyone deserves relationships free of domestic violence,’ she wrote.

Blake Lively's co-star Justin Baldoni candidly discusses his past 'unhealthy' relationship with porn in resurfaced chat about masculinity - amid It Ends With Us controversy

Despite the whirlwind of contentious media attention, rumors of an ongoing dispute between Blake and Justin arose when they both declined joint promotional activities for their shared movie project.

According to a source, there was tension between Blake and Justin during filming due to Justin being perceived as disrespectful towards Blake’s suggestions regarding the abuse-related scenes.

According to this source, Justin primarily concentrated on what he perceived as a biased, aggressive perspective from men, and his method of dealing with the subject matter was rather narrow-minded and stereotypically masculine.

A few days afterwards, TMZ disclosed that Blake perceived herself as being body-shamed by Justin during rehearsals for a scene where he lifted her aloft.

According to sources, it was reported that Justin had been dealing with back issues before the weightlifting scene, and he consulted a fitness trainer for help.

As a committed devotee, I’m sharing that I inquired about Blake’s weight from the trainer and sought guidance on how to prepare my back properly to prevent any potential injuries.

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2024-08-22 08:51

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