Justin Baldoni was in a ‘lose-lose situation’ surrounding ‘fat-shaming’ Blake Lively on set and ‘needed to be careful’
BLAKE Lively reportedly felt fat-shamed by Justin Baldoni after he asked about her weight and shared concerns about lifting her in a scene for their new movie, It Ends With Us.
Now a fitness expert has weighed in on whether Justin was insensitive or had good reason to be concerned, telling The U.S. Sun that the male lead was in a "lose-lose situation."
Buzz surrounding It Ends With Us' box office debut last weekend was dominated by talk that its stars are feuding.
Blake, 36, and Justin, 40, have not done any promotion together — and they haven't even appeared in a single red carpet photo side by side.
Though neither star has publicly commented on the situation, a few behind-the-scenes tidbits have leaked to the press.
TMZ reported this week that Blake was “bothered” by Justin asking what she weighed before lifting her on their movie set.
Read more about Blake Lively
Justin had told the on-set trainer that he had a history of back problems, including a herniated disc, and asked about Blake's weight — and how he could prepare to lift her safely.
But according to TMZ's Harvey Levin, when the trainer relayed that discussion to Blake, she felt fat-shamed.
It's unclear if this was due to a breakdown in communication or high emotions, but a personal trainer tells The U.S. Sun that Justin's conditions made it reasonable for him to ask those questions.
"This became a lose-lose situation because Justin would need to be careful about his back and his condition," said Kollins Ezekh, who has not worked with the actor.
"Before and after any herniated disc treatment or surgery, people should not lift more than 45 pounds.
"The maximum lifting weight for Justin would be just over half a human until maybe six weeks after any treatment or surgery.
"Even if Justin had not had disk surgery or treatment last year, over-preparing on the movie set would have benefitted him.
"He could have been in pain and struggling."
Justin shared an Instagram clip in May discussing stem cell treatment at a medical facility.
"Nine months ago, when I went in, I could not sit on my heels," he said after outlining damage to cartilage and meniscus in his knees.
Justin also mentioned "shoulder issues."
"Hopefully, he is going to help my herniated discs in my back next," the actor added, referring to Dr. Adeel Khan, a renowned stem cell therapist.
Issues with the rubbery cushion between the spine's vertebrae cause a herniated disc.
The disc has a soft center called a nucleus, which can push through a tear around the annulus.
A REAL HEALTH THREAT
Ezekh confirmed the back issue may have been why Justin had a trainer on set in 2023.
"Justin could have been injured if he had lifted heavy weight without preparation," he said
"This would mean further aggravating the herniated disc and pulling other muscles.
It would have always been better to talk through this face to face with Blake Lively rather than through a personal trainer
Kollins Ezekh
"Justin would have had to have been careful with lifting and bending over with the back, knees, and shoulder issues.
"Lifting can put extra pressure on the spine, and he should have been trained to use his core correctly.
"Sometimes people with herniated discs would have to wear a brace or a belt.
"Before getting treatment, herniated disks can also sometimes be extremely painful.
SAFETY FIRST
Ezekh said that the trainer would have coached Justin on how to lift, given his condition.
"To prevent further injury, if Justin wanted to pick something heavy up, he would have had to squat down with his core engaged.
"He would have to have been told not to lift with his back but to bend down first using his legs.
"His hips would sink, and he would have had to hug Blake before lifting her again without using his back.
"If Justin had the surgery or any treatment already, the doctor would have had to give him clearance.
"Regardless, he would have needed to lift Blake safely using this method."
A BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION
It's not known whether Justin ever discussed the matter with Blake directly, but Ezekh said it would have been preferable to go to her first.
"It would have always been better to talk through this face to face with Blake Lively rather than through a personal trainer," he said.
"All this could have been discussed with Blake.
"It appears the communications that occurred did not end as intended."
BODY AFTER BABY
TMZ suggested Blake may have been feeling a bit sensitive, given that she'd just given birth a few months prior.
She has also been vocal about her weight loss over the years.
The mom of four and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, share the same celebrity trainer and sometimes share their workouts online.
Don Saladino has worked with the star for a decade following her pregnancies.
Asking someone's weight in the showbiz world, especially Blake, who gave birth in February, would be a sensitive question.
Kollins Ezekh
“Women put pressure on themselves to look like a Victoria’s Secret model after having a baby," she said.
"It’s absurd. It was my job to look that way," she told the Sun.
At 5-foot-10, Blake lost over 60 pounds while training four to five days a week after the birth of her second child in 2016.
Blake had her fourth child in February 2023, and filming for It Ends With Us continued through May.
FAILED MISSION
According to Ezekh, who works with celebrities, weight continues to be a sensitive topic among Hollywood stars.
"Asking someone's weight in the showbiz world, especially Blake, who gave birth in February, would be a sensitive question," he went on.
"She may have been on a mission to lose weight after the birth at that time as well.
"Justin could have spoken to Blake directly and explained clearly.
"This would have avoided misunderstandings.
"Blake would have thought people were talking about her weight behind her back.
"I see Blake's point because having a trainer ask someone's weight would never be a positive conversation.
"Instead of asking how much Blake weighed, Justin could have approached it differently.
"Justin could have also worked with the trainer to match her body shape and body type visually and without asking that question.
"But, given his health, Justin did need to take care of himself."
DRAMA BEHIND THE SCENES
Tensions between the Hollywood stars were said to have ramped up as Justin and Blake started promoting their movie.
The acting duo was not pictured collaborating on TV interview rounds or standing side by side on the red carpet.
They posed separately in New York on August 6 and in front of the world media.
Blake, who produced the movie, reportedly unfollowed Justin on social media.
Body language expert Judi James also claimed that clips from last year's filming showed Blake calling the shots.
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She told The U.S. Sun that Blake showed "directional arm signals" that could indicate she was "taking over and making her suggestions."
Justin, who directed the movie, has since hired a crisis management team, according to People.
