Gayle King ignited further intrigue surrounding “It Ends With Us” when she posed a somewhat uncomfortable question to Brandon Sklenar regarding his loyalty amid the ongoing legal turmoil involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

When Sklenar, who portrays Atlas, Lively’s other love interest in the film, appeared on “CBS Mornings” on Monday, February 17, King placed him in an awkward position by directly inquiring, “Are you Team Blake or Team Justin?”

Demonstrating his professionalism, Sklenar tactfully replied, “I’m Team It Ends With Us.”

Undeterred by his ambiguous response, King pressed on, asking how he was coping with the lawsuits involving the 37-year-old Lively and the 41-year-old Baldoni, who directed and co-starred as Ryle, the other romantic lead.

Rather than engage with the controversy, Sklenar adeptly redirected the discourse, emphasizing the film’s core message. “I want people to remember why we made the movie and what it represents, keeping the focus on its significance,” he remarked.

He elaborated on the film’s thematic weight, rooted in the harrowing subject of domestic violence. “Someone very dear to me has endured a similar experience to what [Lively’s character Lily] faces, and I have supported her throughout that challenging journey. Therefore, this movie holds profound meaning for both of us,” he asserted.

“It was one motivating factor for me to take on this role, as it empowered her to transform her life,” Sklenar continued, lamenting the diversion of attention from the film’s ethos to the surrounding legal disputes.

Last year, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and asserting he had orchestrated a public smear campaign against her, to which Baldoni responded with a countersuit for $400 million, accusing the couple of defamation and extortion—claims that both Lively and Reynolds have vehemently denied.

Sklenar, along with co-star Jenny Slate and author Colleen Hoover, voiced their support for Lively following the initial claims. Meanwhile, the upcoming trial between Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for March 9, 2026, yet Lively continues to maintain a public presence.

She recently attended the “SNL 50” anniversary special to support her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who made light of the legal situation during a comedic skit.

Insiders have indicated that this public appearance could potentially be leveraged by Baldoni’s legal team. Interestingly, while Lively expressed initial reservations about attending, she ultimately relished the opportunity, reflecting that she and Reynolds have no regrets regarding their participation.