Justin Baldoni Spills the Tea on It Ends with Us: Why Directing Had Him Shaking, Crying, and Low-Key Spiraling

Buy Me A Coffee

GET ON THE LIST - ICONICHIPSTER.COM

Subscribe to IconicHipster.com ~ Receive daily posts plus list-exclusive content straight to your inbox:

We never spam.

In today’s edition of “Hollywood Stars Are Just Like Us (Kind of),” Justin Baldoni, a.k.a. the guy who broke hearts on Jane the Virgin, revealed that directing It Ends with Us nearly broke him. Turns out, playing a morally complex character and being the boss on set isn’t exactly a walk in the park—or even a brisk jog. It’s more like sprinting uphill while juggling flaming bowling pins.

Justin, 40, played Ryle Kincaid, a guy with a lot of issues and even more screen time opposite Blake Lively, who starred as Lily Bloom. And while Blake got to live her best life in killer costumes, Justin was out here living in existential dread, as he spilled on Elizabeth Day’s “How to Fail” podcast. Spoiler: He did not fail at bringing the drama.

See also  Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s Legal Drama Is Spicier Than a Reality Show Reunion

“Directing Is Lonely AF”
“Directing is a very lonely job,” Justin confessed, probably while clutching an emotional support latte. “You’re at the top of this weird totem pole where everyone wants your attention but also kind of doesn’t because you’re the boss, and nobody wants to be the person who asks if you’re okay. So, you’re just out here, silently spiraling.”

Let’s not forget Justin was also starring in the movie. That means he had to act like a brooding, dangerously unhinged man while simultaneously answering a million questions like, “Does this look okay on camera?” or “Why isn’t craft services serving oat milk today?”

Ryle Kincaid: The Role That Had Him Shaking (Literally)
Justin admitted there were moments when the pressure cooker boiled over. “There were times I just had to leave set and, like, shake it out,” he said, crediting his somatic therapy techniques. (If you’re not familiar, that’s the fancy Hollywood way of saying “turning your nervous breakdown into a jazzercise routine.”)

See also  BREAKING: Blake Lively Claps Back in Couture After Justin Baldoni’s $400 Million Lawsuit Implodes Like a Bad Netflix Movie

One scene, in particular, had him shook. It’s the one where Ryle stumbles upon Lily’s phone, discovers a number he doesn’t like, and goes full green-eyed monster. Justin described the scene as emotionally draining: “Afterward, I had to leave and cry and shake because there was just so much pain.” (Relatable, but for us, it’s after reading spoiler-heavy tweets.)

Carrying Ryle’s Baggage IRL
Apparently, Ryle’s trauma took up a long-term lease in Justin’s brain—and his body. “The hardest part wasn’t what Ryle did, it was carrying the why. His self-loathing, his feeling like he shouldn’t be alive, and that everything is his fault,” Justin said, likely while his therapist nodded approvingly. “For months, I’d dream as him. It was like Ryle was haunting me.”

See also  Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Lawsuits, Lattes, and Lots of Christmas Spirit

Luckily, Justin says he’s mostly shaken Ryle off now, which means he can get back to his usual activities: being a charming dad, advocating for emotional vulnerability, and (hopefully) enjoying his oat milk in peace.

Therapy for All
So, what have we learned from Justin’s directorial odyssey? That playing and directing a character with issues this heavy should come with a free lifetime therapy membership. And maybe an emotional support puppy. Or two.

Comments area

Sidebar

Must Read

Meghan Markle May Star in a Spinoff of ‘Suits’

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, might just sprinkle...

Usher Drops to His Knees During Final Sold-Out Show of Las Vegas Residency

Usher just couldn't keep his cool during his grand...

Daniel Craig & Drew Starkey Show Off Their Dapper Duds at the 2025 SAG Awards

Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey are strutting their stuff...

Beyonce Dishes On Her New Haircare Line CÉCRED In Essence Magazine

Get ready to witness the ultimate haircare revolution because...

Lil Nas X Talks About ‘J Christ’ Criticism

Lil Nas X has just unleashed his divine creation...

Nicola Peltz Talks About Not Working and ‘Lola’

Nicola Peltz, multi-talented dynamo, is chuckling at the keyboard...

You Might Also Like

🚨DIDDY’S TRIAL GOES OFF THE RAILS: Jury’s Like “We Dunno, Bro”🚨

The courtroom where Diddy’s on trial just turned into...

Morgan Freeman Talks About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Dating

In a recent interview that left us in splits,...

‘Dance Moms’ Cast Reunites

The Dance Moms crew is putting on their dancing...

Sean Kingston Tries to Skip the Bill Again—This Time It’s Jail Bond, Not a Cheesecake Factory Tab

Sean Kingston, Mr. “Beautiful Girls” himself, has found himself...

Jordyn Woods Opens Up About Shading Khloe Kardashian

Jordyn Woods is setting the record straight on the...