Andy Cohen Uncomfortably Brings Up “It Ends With Us” Drama with Allison Williams
Andy Cohen brought up the ongoing legal dispute involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni while chatting with another star from a Colleen Hoover film adaptation, Regretting You’s Allison Williams.
“Did you read Regretting You, the book, before you filmed the movie?” Cohen, 57, queried Williams, 37, during the Tuesday, October 21, episode of his Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “I’m assuming you did.”
Williams, who portrays Morgan Grant in the cinematic version of Regretting You, disclosed that she read Hoover’s 2019 novel “a couple of times” prior to the start of production. (In Regretting You, Morgan and her teenage daughter Clara navigate the aftermath of the deaths of Clara’s father and aunt, which lead to further secrets.)
“It’s daunting because everyone has a vivid image when they read it,” Williams explained. “And then you’re like, ‘We have to make these choices.’ It’s a lot.”
Cohen, in response, joked that “nobody imagined Justin Baldoni and whatever-her-name-is when they read that book.”
“Anyway, I love bringing that up!” he concluded, to which Williams playfully concurred. Cohen continued, “I’m sure you do.”
Cohen quickly shifted the focus of WWHL back to Williams’ perspectives on Regretting You and guest Meredith Marks’ insights regarding the latest episode of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Regretting You marks Hoover’s second best-selling novel to be adapted for film. The first was 2016’s It Ends With Us, featuring Baldoni, 41, and Lively, 38, as a couple entangled in an abusive relationship based on the titular book. Released in August 2024, the film initially faced backlash from fans regarding the characters being aged up to their mid-30s instead of remaining in their 20s. Baldoni, Lively, and Hoover, 45, defended this adaptation choice, suggesting it was aligned with Ryle’s career as a successful neurosurgeon.
Following the conclusion of filming, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni—who also directed It Ends With Us—accusing him of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and attempting to damage her reputation.
Baldoni firmly denied these allegations and countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million in defamation. The couple refuted Baldoni’s claims and submitted motions to dismiss. In May, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s case, while Lively’s lawsuit remains ongoing.
On Friday, October 17, news surfaced that Hoover herself was reportedly among those called to provide a deposition. The author has not commented publicly on the legal issues and is concentrating on promoting Regretting You, along with Williams and the cast.
“The Hoover Hive, I’d say, is quite strong,” said Williams on the Wednesday, October 22, episode of Live With Kelly & Mark regarding joining Hoover’s literary universe. “This is a community that truly loves her work, and I see why. Her stories and characters are remarkable [and] it’s a bit intimidating.”
Regretting You, directed by Josh Boone, also features McKenna Grace, Mason Thames, Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood, and Willa Fitzgerald.
Regretting You hits theaters on Friday, October 24.
