Brandon Sklenar Caught in Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Battle—The Truth Behind the Pin!
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Brandon Sklenar has found himself at the center of a viral speculation storm after wearing a brooch to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party that fans believed could be a statement of solidarity with his It Ends with Us costar, Justin Baldoni. The floral pin in question had previously been worn by Baldoni at the premiere of their film back in August 2024, and its reappearance on Sklenar’s outfit prompted a wave of questions and online chatter.
The timing of Sklenar’s accessory raised eyebrows, especially given Baldoni’s ongoing legal battle with actress Blake Lively. Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of misconduct during production and alleging a subsequent smear campaign designed to damage her reputation. Baldoni denied these allegations and filed a counter-lawsuit, which is now set to go to trial in March 2026. Amidst these tensions, the appearance of the same brooch sparked questions from fans: Was Sklenar making a subtle stand in support of Baldoni?
“Isn’t this the same brooch as JB at the premiere? Is this a stand in solidarity?” one fan commented on Sklenar’s Instagram post, while others demanded he speak up about the situation. There were even accusations that Sklenar was attempting to claim the floral pin as his own, calling it a “pretend to stand in solidarity” gesture.
However, Sklenar quickly shot down these theories during an interview at SXSW, where he was promoting his new movie Drop. “Honestly, no. No. No. I wish I could say there was,” Sklenar told PEOPLE. “That was a total happenstance. I woke up in the morning and saw an article and I was like, ‘Oh, damn.’ I literally had no idea. I had an idea I wanted to wear like a floral brooch of some kind, and that was the color that I liked the best. And, lo and behold, someone also wore that prior to me wearing it.”
Despite the confusion, Sklenar remained firm in his desire to keep the focus on the movie’s central message. When asked about the controversy during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he emphasized the importance of remembering the film’s original purpose. “It’s a tough situation,” he said. “I just hope everyone remembers what the movie is about and why we made it in the first place. It’s about love. It’s about supporting women in general and helping people through tough times.”
Sklenar’s words echoed a similar sentiment he shared with CBS Mornings in February, when he was asked whether he was “Team Blake” or “Team Justin.” “I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for, and just keeping the focus on that,” he said.
As someone who has been personally close to someone who has endured the challenges that Lively’s character Lily faces in It Ends with Us, Sklenar offered a deeply personal perspective on the film’s significance. “I have someone very close to me who’s gone through what [Lively’s character] is going through for a long time, and I’ve been on the front lines helping her navigate that space,” Sklenar shared. “That movie meant a lot to me and it means a lot to her.”
Sklenar’s efforts to redirect the conversation back to the heart of the film’s message have been a consistent theme in his public statements. “It was one of the reasons that me doing that movie gave her the strength to change her life,” he added. “It’s unfortunate that things get taken away from what the ethos of that thing is and it gets convoluted.”
While the speculation surrounding the brooch may have added fuel to an already tense situation, Sklenar’s message remains clear: the focus should be on the power of love and support, especially when it comes to the experiences of women. As the legal battle between Baldoni and Lively continues, it remains to be seen how the story will unfold—but for now, Sklenar is sticking to his own truth and advocating for the film’s true meaning.
@people #BrandonSklenar is setting the record straight about wearing the same pin as #JustinBaldoni earlier this month. #SXSW #Drop #1923 #ItEndswithUs
