Brandon Sklenar stands up for the women behind It ends with us.
In an impassioned Instagram post on Tuesday, Aug. 20, the actor began by saying he wanted to “address all this stuff going around online” — possibly referring to the alleged drama between the cast and director/actor Justin Baldoni. The film, based on the hit 2016 novel by Colleen Hoover, also stars Blake Lively, Isabela Ferrer and Jenny Slate. Sklenar tagged all four women in his post.
“Colleen and the women in this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and women choosing a better life for themselves,” wrote Sklenar, 34. “Humping the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in it seems counterproductive to its message and detracts from what this film is about, it’s actually the opposite of the point.”
It ends with us stars Lively, 36, as Lily Bloom, a florist who enters into an abusive relationship with a man named Ryle Kincaid, played by Baldoni, 40, who also directed.
Sklenar wrote about the film on Instagram: “What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not diminish our intentions in making this film. It has been disheartening to see the amount of negativity projected online . ”
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In the midst of the film’s promotional tour, rumors surfaced of a rift between Lively and Baldoni. Rumors of a behind-the-scenes rift grew before the film’s release as Baldoni spent most of the time working solo for the press and did not pose for photos with the cast at the film’s New York premiere. Fans were also quick to notice that Hoover, 44, Lively, Slate, 42, and others involved in the film were not following Baldoni on Instagram.
Sklenar said in his Tuesday post that “someone very close to me is struggling with a relationship that mirrored Lilly’s [sic] up close,” and as a result, “I feel a responsibility to bring this to life and help spread that message further.”
“Before I was involved in this film, she hadn’t heard of the book. She only read it then. She credits Colleen’s book and later this film with saving her life,” he continued. “There isn’t a single person involved in making this film who wasn’t aware of the responsibility we had in doing this. A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma – domestic abuse – or struggle to look in the mirror and love who they see.”
Sklenar also called the film “a stark reality check for men who need to pull themselves together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions,” adding that it was “meant to inspire” as well as “validate,” “recognize,” and “instill hope.”
“Its purpose is to build courage and help people feel less alone,” he added. “Ultimately, it’s meant to spread love and awareness. It’s not meant to turn women into ‘bad guys’ again, let’s move on from that together.”
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“All I ask is that before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who it’s helping,” Skelnar continued in his Tuesday post. “Ask yourself if your opinions are based on any facts. Or you just want to be a part of something. Let’s be a part of something better together. A part of a new story being written for women and all people everywhere.”
“Lead with love and please be kind. Brandon,” he concluded.
During the interview for PEOPLE at 10 earlier this month, Sklenar opened up about the deal with Baldoni, noting that he did a “great” job balancing his duties as the film’s lead actor as well as director and producer.
“The whole crew he put together was so amazing,” he said. “Everyone in this film is at the top of their game in every segment. It was a really pleasant environment to work in.”
PEOPLE was unable to get in touch with a representative for Lively.
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