BLAKE Lively was reportedly weight-shamed by Justin Baldoni after he asked her about her weight and expressed concerns about her lifting weights in a scene for their new film, It Ends With Us.
Now a fitness expert has weighed in on whether Justin was being insensitive or whether he was right to be concerned, telling The US Sun that the male lead was in a “lose-lose situation.”
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The buzz surrounding the movie premiere of It Ends With Us last weekend was dominated by rumors that the stars were feuding.
Blake, 36, and Justin, 40, haven't done any promotion together — and they haven't even appeared next to each other on the red carpet.
While both stars have yet to publicly comment on the situation, some behind-the-scenes tidbits have been leaked to the press.
TMZ reported this week that Blake was “interrupted” by Justin asking her how much she weighed before he picked her up on their film set.
Read more about Blake Lively
Justin had told the trainer on set that he had suffered from back problems in the past, including a hernia, and had asked about Blake's weight – and how he could lift her safely.
But according to Harvey Levin of TMZWhen the trainer told Blake this, she felt ashamed of her weight.
It's unclear whether this was due to a communication breakdown or intense emotions, but a personal trainer told The US Sun that Justin's condition made it reasonable for him to ask these questions.
“It became a lose-lose situation because Justin had to be careful with his back and his condition,” said Collins Ezech, who has not worked with the actor.
“Before and after hernia treatment or surgery, you may not lift more than 20 kilos.
“The maximum lifting weight for Justin would be just over half a human, until about six weeks after any treatment or surgery.
“Even if Justin hadn't had hernia surgery or treatment last year, extensive preparation on the film set would have done him good.
“He was probably in pain and struggling.”
Justin shared a Instagram clip from May discussing stem cell treatment in a medical facility.
“Nine months ago, when I went into the hospital, I couldn't sit on my heels,” he said after being told he had damage to the cartilage and meniscus in his knees.
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Justin also talked about “shoulder issues.”
“Hopefully it will help my hernia in my back now,” the actor added, referring to Dr. Adeel Khana renowned stem cell therapist.
Problems with the rubbery cushion between the vertebrae in the spine can cause a herniated disc.
The disc has a soft center, called the nucleus, that can push through a tear around the annulus.
A REAL HEALTH THREAT
Ezekh confirmed that the back issue may be the reason Justin had a trainer on set in 2023.
“Justin could have gotten injured if he lifted heavy weights without preparation,” he said
“This would mean that the hernia would worsen even further and that other muscles would be strained.
It would always have been better to discuss this with Blake Lively in person rather than through a personal trainer.
Collins Ezech
“Justin should have been careful lifting and bending because of his back, knee and shoulder problems.
“Lifting can put extra stress on the spine, and he should have been trained to use his core muscles properly.
“Sometimes people with a hernia have to wear a brace or belt.
“Before you get treatment, hernias can sometimes be extremely painful.
SAFETY FIRST
Ezekh said that given Justin's condition, the trainer would have taught him how to lift.
“To avoid further injury, if Justin wanted to lift something heavy, he should have crouched down and tensed his torso.
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“He should be told not to lift with his back, but to bend with his legs first.
“His hips would drop and he would have to hug Blake before he could lift her up again without using his back.
“If Justin had already had surgery or other treatment, the doctor should have given him permission.
“Either way, he should have lifted Blake safely this way.”
A BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION
It's unknown if Justin ever addressed the matter directly with Blake, but Ezekh said it would have been better to talk to her first.
“It would have been better to discuss this with Blake Lively in person rather than through a personal trainer,” he said.
“This could all have been discussed with Blake.
“It appears that the communication that took place did not go as intended.”
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BODY AFTER BABY
TMZ suggested that Blake may have been feeling a little sensitive, given that she had given birth a few months earlier.
She has also spoken openly about her weight loss in recent years.
The mother of four and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, have the same celebrity trainer and sometimes share their workouts online.
Don Saladin worked with the star for ten years after her pregnancies.
It would be a sensitive question to ask someone in showbiz, especially Blake, who gave birth in February, about his weight.
Collins Ezech
“Women put pressure on themselves to look like a Victoria's Secret model after they have a baby,” she said.
“It's absurd. It was my job to look like that,” she told the Sun.
Blake was 5 feet 10 inches tall and lost more than 60 pounds when she started working out 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.
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FAILED MISSION
According to Ezekh, who works with celebrities, weight is still a sensitive topic among Hollywood stars.
“It would be a sensitive issue to ask someone in showbiz, especially Blake, who gave birth in February, about his weight,” he continued.
“Maybe she was also on a mission to lose weight after giving birth.
“Justin could have talked to Blake directly and explained it clearly.
“This would have prevented misunderstandings.
Blake thought people were talking about her weight behind her back.
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“I understand Blake's point, because it would never be a positive conversation if a trainer asked about someone's weight.
“Instead of asking how much Blake weighed, Justin could have approached it differently.
“Justin could also have worked with the trainer to visually match her body shape and type without asking that question.
“But given his health, Justin had to take good care of himself.”
DRAMA BEHIND THE SCENES
Tensions between the Hollywood stars were said to have risen when Justin and Blake began promoting their film.
The acting duo were not photographed together in TV interviews or next to each other on the red carpet.
They posed separately on August 6 in New York and for the world's press.
Blake, who produced the film, is said to have unfollowed Justin on social media.
Body language expert Judi James also claimed that clips from last year's footage showed Blake making the decisions.
She told The American Sun that Blake was showing “directional signals with her arms” which could indicate that she was “taking charge and making her suggestions.”
Justin, who directed the film, has since hired a crisis management team, according to People.
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