Conservative commentator Candace Owens encountered actor Justin Baldoni at an airport in Iceland and documented the meeting on social media with a post that included a jab at Blake Lively.
Owens, 37, shared a selfie with Baldoni, 42, on her Instagram Stories, captioning it with "There was an approximate 1 in 100 million chance that I ran into Justin Baldoni at an airport in Iceland on a Friday afternoon. Just incredible."
She added the hashtag #Cousins, referencing her public support for Baldoni amid his legal dispute with his "It Ends With Us" co-star, Lively, 39. Owens further escalated the playful antagonism by setting the photo to Taylor Swift's "My Tears Ricochet," a song associated with the film "It Ends With Us" and Lively's past friendship with Swift.
The encounter occurred less than a week after a judge awarded Lively just over $400,000 in legal costs from Baldoni, a fraction of the $8 million she had sought following their settlement in a dispute over the production of their 2024 film.
Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively was not entitled to the full amount. He cited California law designed to protect those who have experienced sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory lawsuits. The ruling meant Lively could be reimbursed for legal fees related to defending against defamation claims, rather than all claims Baldoni had made against her. The final award included $363,245 in attorneys' fees and $44,206 in costs.
Representatives for both Baldoni and Lively claimed victory. Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, called the ruling a "significant victory," noting that Lively received less than 5% of her requested fees. He stated it sends a message that the courtroom should not be used for personal gain. Lively's attorneys, Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb, described the decision as "historic" for being the first under the specific California law and for setting a precedent for consequences in retaliatory lawsuits.
Lively had initially filed a lawsuit asserting claims of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and infliction of emotional distress. Baldoni, who starred in and directed the film, denied the allegations, claiming Lively fabricated complaints to gain creative control. Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, filed a countersuit alleging civil extortion, defamation, and other claims against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Liman dismissed Baldoni's countersuit in June 2025 and later rejected Lively's sexual harassment claims, deeming her an independent contractor rather than an employee. The parties reached a settlement in early May, shortly before a scheduled trial, issuing a joint statement emphasizing the importance of a workplace free from improprieties.
"It Ends With Us," based on Colleen Hoover's novel, was released in August 2024. The film, which depicted a relationship involving domestic violence, surpassed box office expectations but faced criticism for potentially glorifying abuse. The public dispute between Lively and Baldoni drew significant attention, overshadowing the film's release and its underlying message. Lively's lawsuit detailed allegations of inappropriate comments, boundary violations during filming, and pushback on nudity requests from Baldoni, while Baldoni maintained his actions were within the normal creative process. 
