Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds's Texts To Ben Affleck And Matt Damon Blow Lid Off Justin Baldoni Case

Blake Livelycalled in the big guns, asking bothBen AffleckandMatt Damonto watch her cut ofIt Ends With Us.

Amid Blake andJustin Baldoni's showdown during the making ofIt Ends With Us, the actress seemingly called for favors from big-shot friends to help her through the "most upsetting experience" she's ever had on set.

Text messages exchanged between Blake andTaylor Swiftwere also exposed.

Blake Livelycalled in the big guns, asking bothBen AffleckandMatt Damonto watch her cut ofIt Ends With Us

Image credits:TheStewartofNY/Getty Images

Ahead of a January 22 hearing, unsealed court documents have revealed an array of emails and text messages Blake Lively sent to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon during her conflict with Justin Baldoni, her co-star and the director ofIt Ends With Us.

"Ben, It's Blake. Don't hang up," she wrote in an email sent to Ben Affleck on May 17, 2024.

"I've just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I've ever had on a movie," the 38-year-old actress claimed. "This movie nearly k*lled me."

Image credits:Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

"The making of doc of this film would be more interesting than the movie could ever be," she added before calling Justin a "clown."

"I ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script, I also ended up having to direct the movie via the chaotic clown 'director'/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center," Lively wrote to the Oscar winner, who was her costar in the 2010 filmThe Town."Yes that's all the same person."

TheGossip Girlalum claimed that "everyone" Justin had on the set was "in a cult." She then asked Ben if he can set aside acouple of hours to watch the film.

The 38-year-old actress called Justin Baldoni a " chaotic clown" and claimed everyone he brought to the set was "in a cult"

Image credits:Robert Kamau/Getty Images

"If you have 1:58 of free time at any time in the next few days, would you be willing to watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes. I will pix it to you. You can literally text me a voice memo so you don't have to formally write thoughts," she wrote.

Blake also asked ifhis ex-wife Jennifer Lopezand their kids would also be interested in watching the film.

"If your wife or kids are around, I'd love their opinion also (fyi it does cover domestic violence so no one is caught off guard)," she added. "I'm such a fan of Jennifer's, I've told her as much every time I've met her, and it would be an honor to have her take."

Image credits:Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

The actress reiterated that there was "zero pressure" on him to watch the film, but knew that "very few people" would be "as prescriptive and insightful" as he would be.

She then mentioned that her husband Ryan Reynolds had also reached out to Matt Damon to watch and share his thoughts on the film.

"Ryan asked Matt to watch also so I think he's watching this weekend. Good men showing up. I'm beyond grateful for that," she said.

"Also. Can you believe Jason Bourne is watching my movie?!?! I'll get you an autograph one day. Don't worry," she added, referring to Matt's famous character from the Bourne franchise.

It is unclear whether Ben responded to Blake's request, but Matt's reaction was included in the court filings.

Blake's husband Ryan Reynolds reached out to Matt Damon with a "zero-pressure ask"

Image credits:Netflix

Ryan Reynolds reached out to Matt and his wife Lucy with what he described as a "zero-pressure ask."

"We know how important family time is…so no worries either way. We'd LOVE to get your well earned pov…And if your girls want to see it on the big screen at B's family and friends screening Saturday at 6pm, they're obviously most welcome!" he wrote.

The action hero said the making ofIt Ends With Ushas been one of the "all-time zingers on and off set."

"One day, we'll make a movie about the movie. And we can't wait to tell you all about it," he continued. "The stories are already finding their place in the pantheon of legendary Hollywood Insanity. We're about to be off for at least a year and a half. Maybe two years. Maybe forever."

Image credits:blakelively

Blake joined the conversation, saying she was "adding more zeroes to the pressure" and thanked Matt and his wife for "even considering."

"It's not a bad movie. So who knows, you just may enjoy some of it," she said. "Be warned it covers domestic violence In key places so just want to be sure you know. This movie nearly k*lled me."

She went on to talk about Justin, saying, "The director/costar/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience."

"But the good news is he also has no taste, and an enormous ego, but onlybecause he's in a cultand believes he's our century's prophet," she added. "I wish even one of these things was hyperbole."

Justin "has no taste, and an enormous ego and believes he's our century's prophet," Blake said in a message to Matt

Image credits:Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Matt responded to the request with an offer to Blake, saying she could direct a movie with Artists Equity, the production company he and hislongtime pal Ben Affleckstarted together.

"We'll give you any help we can. And if this experience hasn't totally destroyed your soul, Blake, you should come direct your next movie at Artists Equity," he said. "We're kind of like a cult but a really nice one."

Court filings also included text messages of Blake talking about her "doofus director" to singer Taylor Swift.

In one text, Blake asked theLove Storysinger to read her revised script ofIt Ends With Us,saying: "You don't have to read of course."

Blake's deposition included an explanation of the request to Taylor.

Image credits:Netflix

"I sent Taylor the script on her way to my apartment because Justin was still there, and I asked her to read them. I told her she didn't have to, I didn't want her to feel pressured to do that, but I hoped that she would," she said.

Taylor reportedly responded to Blake's request with: "I'll do anything for you !!"

In another portion of the unsealed text messages, Blakeseemingly apologized to the singerfor being a "bad friend" amid the unfolding showdown with Justin.

"I felt like a bad friend lately because I was such a sad sack who only talked about my own shit for months," the actress reportedly wrote.

"You were generous to not only be the key person there for me during all of it, but also to let me off the hook for being so in it," she added. "But I still have a feeling something may not be right."

Taylor Swift told Blake that her messages started "reading [like] a mass corporate email sent to 200 employees"

Image credits:blakelively

When Blake said she wanted to ensure things were okay between them, Taylor responded, saying, "No you're not wrong, but it's also not a big deal."

TheShake it Offsinger went on to say that she felt "exhausted" in "every avenue" of her life and felt a "little bit of a shift" in the way Blake had been talking to her in recent months.

"Yes there has been a lot of the Justin stuff but I've been through things like this before and I know how all-consuming it is. It's more like… and I feel really bad saying anything about this because your texts have been so nice in their intent but your last few… it's felt like I was reading a mass corporate email sent to 200 employees," she said.

Image credits:Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"You said the word 'we' like 18 times. And it feels awful to be in any way critical of any way you process what you've been going through but I just kinda miss my funny, dark, normal-speaking friend who talks to me as herself, not like. A plural unit," she continued.

In anothersegment of their texts, the pop star said she understood that Blake was feeling "attacked from all sides for ridiculous reasons" and felt the need to "overly explain things or be overly nice or whatever."

"[But] It's me! That's just caused a little distance!" she added.

Blake had sued Justin in December, 2024, accusing him of s**ual harassment andcreating a smear campaignagainst her, all of which the director strongly denied. He filed a countersuit that a judge dismissed last June. Blake's case is set to go to trial in May this year.

"Trying to get all the top dogs to side with her so she has more power to exclude Baldoni," one commented online

Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds’s Texts To Ben Affleck And Matt Damon Blow Lid Off Justin Baldoni Case

Blake Livelycalled in the big guns, asking bothBen AffleckandMatt Damonto watch her cut ofIt Ends With Us. Amid ...
Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos Nicholas Sklavos at his corporate job and traveling

Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos

NEED TO KNOW

  • Nicholas Sklavos had never seen much of the world

  • A New Jersey native, he spent his entire life in the tri-state area before attending Syracuse University

  • After graduating, he landed what looked like a solid job in finance and sales. But it didn't take long for him to realize he wasn't happy

Nicholas Sklavoshad never seen much of the world.

A New Jersey native, he spent his entire life in the tri-state area before attending Syracuse University. After graduating in 2022, he landed what looked like a solid job in finance and sales — the kind of position many people would envy. But it didn't take long for him to realize it wasn't where he was meant to be.

"It was a really good job, but I hated it," Sklavos tells PEOPLE exclusively over Zoom. "The environment just didn't align with who I am. I felt like I wasn't adding much value to the world — I was just making money... [It] just wasn't for me."

Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos Nicholas Sklavos at his corporate job

Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos

For as long as he could remember, Sklavos had dreamed of traveling the world. That desire became impossible to ignore after seeing people around him fall sick — and, in some cases, pass away.

"I realized we're all dying," he says. "And if I didn't go act on what I wanted to do now, when was I going to do it — when I'm 60 and can't climb a mountain?"

That realization marked a turning point.

From then on, Sklavos quietly began preparing to leave his job, spending two full years saving aggressively. He sold his car, cut expenses and freed himself from obligations at home to make it possible. Though his parents were initially hesitant, their stance softened once they saw how unhappy he was.

"I came to this belief that if there's something you're really passionate about, you don't need everyone's opinions or criticism," he says. "I just wanted to do it. When is there ever going to be a better time than now?"

Finally, on Sept. 5, 2025, Sklavos set off with a one-way ticket and a plan to travel across Asia. The day before he left, he posted about his journey on his TikTok account@nicksontour, explaining why he had quit his job.

Thevideo quickly went viral, amassing more than 7 million views and 28,000 comments.

"Document everything for us," one user wrote."Go live your best life!!!! We are all rooting for you!!!" another added."I've never been more excited for a stranger," commented someone else.

The overwhelming response gave him both validation and motivation. Encouraged by the engagement, Sklavos kept sharing his travels — not just as a personal record, but as a way to inspire others to embrace adventure.

Over the following year, he continued to post on TikTok, where he's created a following of over 185,000 people. He shares candid glimpses of solo adventures, unfamiliar cultures and the challenges of starting over far from home.

"I got messages from people saying they were traveling because of me, following my itinerary and that I inspired them to see the world," he says.

"One guy told me he had a very bleak view of the world before seeing my videos, and now he'd booked a flight to Thailand. That brought me to tears. And a mom from Texas has been messaging me since the first video, saying I've touched the world. It's unbelievable."

Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos Nicholas Sklavos during his travels

Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos

Even with the challenges — sleeping in hostels for a few dollars a night, dealing with bugs, getting food poisoning and even a bout of E. coli that landed him in the hospital — Sklavos says the experience has been worth it.

"The good far outweighs the bad," he says. "Traveling isn't tourism; it's living in unfamiliar spaces. Yes, there are rough nights and rough moments, but I've never regretted quitting my job. I knew this was what I wanted, and I've been able to share it with the world."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Looking ahead, Sklavos plans to continue traveling for at least the next year, possibly two. He hopes to turn his adventures into a sustainable career, hosting group trips, creating travel and food videos and sharing his experiences with an ever-growing audience.

Eventually, he envisions a home base in New York City, where he can continue exploring the city's renowned food scene while balancing his nomadic lifestyle.

"The goal is never to return to a corporate job," he says.

"I want to keep inspiring people to see the world and take action on their dreams," he says. "For me, this isn't just travel — it's living fully, every single day."

Read the original article onPeople

25-Year-Old 'Hated' His Well-Paying Corporate Job, So He Quit to Travel the World (Exclusive)

Courtesy of Nicholas Sklavos NEED TO KNOW Nicholas Sklavos had never seen much of the world A New Jersey native, he spent his entire life...
Chris Noth Details His 'Hurtful' Friendship Fallout with Sarah Jessica Parker After Sexual Assault Allegations (Exclusive)

Chris Noth shares why he and Sarah Jessica Parker are no longer friends in an upcoming appearance on Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson

NEED TO KNOW

  • PEOPLE has an exclusive clip from the episode, in which Noth claims that Parker's public statement about his 2021 sexual assault allegations was "hurtful" and "affected everything"

  • The full interview will premiere Monday, Jan. 26, on Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson on YouTube

Chris Nothis revealing what led to the end of his friendship withSarah Jessica Parker.

In PEOPLE's exclusive clip from the upcoming Jan. 26 episode ofReally Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson,the actor, 71, opens up about his falling out with his formerSex and the Cityco-star, 60, amid rumors of a feud.

"We're not friends, I think that's pretty obvious," he confirms, attributing Parker's response to themultiple allegations of sexual assaultagainst him as the reason they no longer speak.

HBO/Getty Chris Noth and Sarah Jessica Parker

In 2021,The Hollywood Reporterpublished rape allegations from two women, with one claiming she met Noth when she was 22 in 2004 and the other in 2015 when she was 25. A third woman then came forward and told theDaily BeastthatNoth had sexually assaulted her in 2010 when she was 18.

At the time, Noth denied all accounts, stating that he "has and would never cross that line," and further calling the stories "a complete fabrication" that "read like a piece of bad fiction."

Shortly after, Parker and herSATCcastmates,Cynthia NixonandKristin Davis, released astatement:  "We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth. We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it."

"The statement that they put out — which was nothing more than brand management, really — I don't know, it was sad, it was disappointing, it was surprising," Noth explains. "Because you need to call me and hear my side of this. You've known me for many years, and we've worked [together] for many years."

"I get it, that's more Hollywood than Hollywood," he continues of them publicly addressing the allegations. "But before you make that statement, you know me, you've known me all these years, give me a call so I can give you the real scoop about this. And that didn't happen, and that was too bad."

Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth

Looking back, Noth says that there are gains and losses from the situation.

"What's gained is good," he notes. "You know where people stand and you know who your real friends are and who they're not. That's important to know.  I just know if it had been on the other hand, I wouldn't have done that."

"That was hurtful, and it really affected everything," he concedes.

Earlier this month,speculation about dramabetween the former on-screen lovers sparked when Noth shared a photo of himself in the gym onInstagramwith the caption: "F--- new years - LETS GO!!!!" Just three days prior, Parker was honored with theGolden Globes' Carol Burnett Award during the CBS and Paramount primetime special Golden Eve.

In the comments of Noth's post, one fan wrote, "You mean f--- sjp & her award right? lol." TheLaw & Orderalum appeared to agree with the sentiment by replying, "right."

In addition to theSATCstars speaking out about his sexual assault allegations in 2021, Noth was also cut from the series' revivalAnd Just Like That…,which sawhis character, Mr. Big, diein the premiere episode. He was originally slated to make a return in the season 1 finale, but the scenes never aired.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kara Mayer Robinson's full interview with Noth will premiere Monday, Jan. 26 onReally Famous with Kara Mayer RobinsononYouTube.

Read the original article onPeople

Chris Noth Details His ‘Hurtful’ Friendship Fallout with Sarah Jessica Parker After Sexual Assault Allegations (Exclusive)

Chris Noth shares why he and Sarah Jessica Parker are no longer friends in an upcoming appearance on Really Famous with K...

Immigrants sleep on an overnight flight to Ecuador from JFK International Airport on Oct. 27, 2025. Credit - John Moore—Getty Images

The offer "may not last long," the Department of Homeland Securitysaid Wednesdayas it announced that a more than doubling of the stipend for those who choose to "self-deport" from $1,000 to $2,600 in honor of President Donald Trump hitting the one-year mark of his second term. But the offer also may not be legitimate at all, advocates say.

"Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in the announcement. "Because if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return."

It's part of Trump's "Project Homecoming," which was launched in May to encourage unauthorized immigrants to leave the U.S. voluntarily. DHS first offereda $1,000 stipend and travel assistanceto those who returned to their home country through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home mobile application. During the holidays, the offerwas raised to $3,000, with DHS saying it was "generously TRIPLING" the stipend for the Christmas season for those who register on the app by the end of 2025.

The program, which is funded by$250 millionthat was originally meant for helping to resettle refugees, is meant to reduce deportation costs. According to the latest DHS announcement, a single enforced deportation costs over $18,000, while the $2,600 stipend as well as other costs including comped airfare for those who "self-deport" through the CBP Home app comes out to just over $5,000.

But while Noem says that 2.2 million people have voluntarily "self-deported" since last January, including "tens of thousands" who used the CBP Home app,the Atlanticreported in December that the overall figure, which is not backed by verifiable data, is implausible and would have had noticeable effects on the labor market. Moreover,the Atlanticcalculated that the true cost of each of some 35,000 "self-deportations," when factoring in a$200-million advertising campaignfor the program, was about $7,500.

ProPublicaalso reported in October that of some 25,000 immigrants who had departed through the CBP Home app by then, many did not receive assistance from DHS.

Andthe Guardianreported in December that while some who "self-deported" received a $1,000 stipend, others either never did or encountered significant delays and difficulties. Others claimed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials dangled the stipend to deceive them, even though they were not eligible for the program, into leaving the U.S. without any benefits or into giving up their location, which could be used to detain and deport them. And while the program makes out that those who participate may be eligible to return to the U.S. under legal pathways, that also hasn't been true for some, who have found themselves facing yearslong or even lifetime bans from reentry.

These mirror critics' earlier warnings about the program. When the program incentivizing "self-deportation" came out last year, the American Immigration Lawyers Associationcalled ita "deeply misleading and unethical trick," adding that the government's offer "is not as simple—or as safe—as it sounds."

"Offering undocumented migrants a cash stipend to leave the country is neither sound policy nor smart politics," attorney Raul Reyes wrote forthe Hilllast year. "And with this Administration's antipathy toward migrants, it could well be a trap with life-altering consequences."

Contact usatletters@time.com.

DHS More Than Doubles Cash Incentive for ‘Self-Deportation’

Immigrants sleep on an overnight flight to Ecuador from JFK International Airport on Oct. 27, 2025. Credit - John Moore—Getty Images The o...
Putin says who owns Greenland is of no concern to Russia, says it might be worth $1 billion

By Andrew Osborn

Reuters

MOSCOW, Jan 21 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Greenland's ownership was not Russia's concern and that the United States and Denmark - whose historical treatment ​of the island he criticised - should sort the matter out between themselves.

Moscow has watched ‌with glee as U.S. President Donald Trump's drive to acquire Greenland has widened Washington's split with Europe, even though his moves ‌could have ramifications for Russia, which already has a strong Arctic presence.

Speaking in Davos, Trump on Wednesday stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland and ruled out the use of force. He suggested progress towards a deal to end a dispute over the semi-autonomous Danish territory that risked ⁠the deepest rupture in transatlantic relations ‌in decades.

Putin, addressing the matter for the first time in public, signalled that Russia would not object to Trump's push to control Greenland, which he speculated ‍may be worth nearly $1 billion.

"What happens in Greenland is of no concern to us whatsoever," Putin told a meeting of Russia's Security Council.

"Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not ​cruel, towards it. But that is a different matter altogether, and hardly anyone is interested ‌in it now," Putin added.

Advertisement

ONE BILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG?

Denmark's financial and military support for Ukraine has angered Russia, which is fighting to take full control of four Ukrainian regions it claimed as its own in 2022.

Russia's foreign ministry has bridled at Trump's suggestion that Moscow has ambitions on Greenland too, but has been careful not to criticise Trump - who is trying to broker a deal to end the ⁠war in Ukraine - and has hinted it has some sympathy ​for his claim.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that ​the giant resource-rich island, which already has a U.S. military presence, was not "a natural part" of Denmark.

Putin recalled that Russia in 1867 sold Alaska to the United ‍States for $7.2 million, and that ⁠Denmark in 1917 sold the Virgin Islands to Washington, setting precedents for such land transactions.

Using the Alaska price - adjusted for inflation and accounting for the larger size of Greenland and ⁠changes in gold prices, Putin said buying Greenland from Denmark could cost around $1 billion, which he said he thought Washington ‌could afford.

"I think they will sort it out between themselves," said Putin.

(Reporting by Andrew ‌Osborn; Editing by Sharon Singleton Editing by Sharon Singleton)

Putin says who owns Greenland is of no concern to Russia, says it might be worth $1 billion

By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW, Jan 21 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Greenland's ow...
Georgia-local bobsled legend is heading to her fifth Olympics in Italy

The world is now just two weeks away from kicking off the 2026Winter Olympic GamesinMilan and Cortinad'Ampezzo,Italy.

As the venues rush to put thefinishing toucheson their spaces, wives prepare to gohead-to-headon opposing teams and the Bahamas hopes for a "Cool Runnings" repeat, Team USA is choosing which athletes will represent the country.

For oneDouglasville native, this is something she's experienced four times before.

Who is Elana Meyers Taylor?

On Monday, the USA Bobsled and Skeleton team announced four-time Olympian and multi-medal winnerElana Meyers Taylorwas chosen as a pilot for the women's bobsled team.

Taylor competed in the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 winter Olympic games, where she won three silver medals and two bronze medals.

It makes her the most decorated Black winter Olympian.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Team USA (@teamusa)

Georgia-local bobsled legend is heading to her fifth Olympics in Italy

The world is now just two weeks away from kicking off the 2026Winter Olympic GamesinMilan and Cortinad'Ampezzo,Ita...
Canucks rally to end 11-game losing streak with 4-3 win over Capitals

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Brock Boeser had a goal and an assist as the Vancouver Canucks erased an early-two goal deficit and held on to end their 11-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Drew O'Connor, Evander Kane and Filip Hronek also scored goals while Jake DeBrusk and David Kampf added two assists each for the Canucks, who won for the first time since Dec. 29 and won at home for the first time since Dec. 6.

Kevin Lankinen made 29 stops.

Dylan Strome and Justin Sourdif scored power-play goals a little over a minute apart in the first period to give Washington a 2-0 lead. But Boeser and Kane knotted it at 2 after one.

Strome scored his second of the game with 3:23 to play to make it 4-3. He and Sourdif also had assists while Logan Thompson had 21 saves for the Capitals, who have lost four games in a row and five of their last six.

O'Connor and Hronek scored in the second period as Vancouver scored four unanswered.

Capitals: Are at Calgary on Friday night.

Canucks: Host New Jersey on Friday night.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Canucks rally to end 11-game losing streak with 4-3 win over Capitals

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Brock Boeser had a goal and an assist as the Vancouver Canucks erased an early-two goa...

 

COSMO NEWS © 2015 | Distributed By My Blogger Themes | Designed By Templateism.com