Wow, there’s so much I want to say to you.
I hope that we can FaceTime or see each other in person soon and talk more. But for now, I’m just going to send you a few thoughts. Hopefully, this won’t take more than a few minutes—though I don’t have the best track record for keeping voice memos short, and I don’t think you do either.
I want to start with an apology. Man, when I read the second part of your message, my heart sank. I’m really sorry—I for sure fell short. You worked really hard on that, and the way you framed it, and how that made you feel, really hit me. I just want to say thank you for sharing that with me. That takes a lot of trust and vulnerability, and I feel really grateful that you feel safe enough to tell me how you feel and share that with me.
I’m really sorry—I messed up. That’s a failure on my part.
One thing you should know about me is that I will always admit and apologize when I fail. I am far from perfect. I’m a deeply flawed man, as my wife will attest. I’m going to mess up. I’m going to say the wrong thing. I’m going to put my foot in my mouth. I’m probably going to piss you off at some point. But I will always apologize and find my way back to center—that’s one thing I can assure you of.
I’m sorry I made you feel that way. That must have been terrible, and I will absolutely do better. That was not my best weekend, and I should have given it more time. And you’re damn right—you have great friends if they knew how you felt and supported you. We should all have friends like that. Aside from the fact that they’re two of the most creative people on the planet, the three of you together? That’s unbelievable. Talk about energy.
But I just wanted you to know—I didn’t need that. Your work is really good. It’s going to make the movie sing, like you said. And I’m excited to go through the whole movie with you. I’m just excited to spend time with you—to be in your sphere, in your presence—and for us to share creative energy together.
I think you and I have been trying to build a relationship, and I think we’ve done that successfully. I mean, here we are, talking like this—me, into my phone at 2 AM. We mostly communicate via text and voice memos, and I’ll be honest, that’s not my biggest strength. I love being with people, being in the same room with someone. So I know I’ve fallen short at times in our texts and voice notes. There’s just so much to communicate, so much happening.
All that to say—I’m really looking forward to spending time together. I think it’s going to go a long way for our chemistry, which I believe has been there from the start. I felt it in the room when we met. I think it comes from the fact that we’re both so damn hardworking, that we have a vision, and that we refuse to settle.
I’m excited to have a creative partner in you. It’s really exciting.
There’s so much more to say—so much I want to say.
Oh, and one more thing: I am so sorry for what you’ve been through with other filmmakers and producers, or whoever those people were that you worked with. That pisses me off. Those assholes. I’m still blown away that this is the industry we’re in, and that you’ve experienced that as a woman.
I know I don’t need to say this, but that is not going to be your experience with me.
There’s nothing more exciting to me than getting to work with Blake Lively and having all of her—that’s what I want. And there’s zero hesitation on my part about sending you the final draft file. I am totally fine with that. The only reason I didn’t send it today is because I was trying to implement and add your notes into my working draft. I’m all over that draft right now, so there’s a whole bunch of new stars that are going to be collated pages—I just haven’t had a chance to send it yet.
But there is no hesitancy. I’m happy to send it to you.
And I’m sorry this has happened to you before. I hope that after this experience, there will be—well, I don’t know—I hope it’ll be healing in some way. Because that’s all I want.
I want this movie to be healing.
I want this movie to be commercial, just like you do.
I want it to affect people.
I want it to touch people.
I want to walk you through my whole plan, the work we’re doing with our domestic violence partner (No More), and just my vision. I know this can be really, really special.
It is going to be special.
You’re the secret sauce.
We’re the secret sauce.
Anyway, I have so much more to say, but I’m going to stop rambling now because—Jesus Christ—it’s been six and a half minutes.
So… yeah. I’m sorry.
You probably have kids all over you and a baby on your chest while you’re listening to me ramble at 2 AM.
I hope you’re feeling better.
Give Ryan my love.
Thank you for trusting me with your feelings and your thoughts—that means the world to me.
And I can’t wait to spend more time with you.
Okay, I’m done cutting myself off now.
Goodnight.
In the age of instant messaging and social media, the art of meaningful communication often gets lost in the noise. But every now and then, a moment cuts through the clutter—a moment so raw, so human, that it reminds us of the power of vulnerability and accountability. Justin Baldoni’s 2 AM voice note to Blake Lively is one such moment. Clocking in at nearly seven minutes, the apology is a masterclass in taking responsibility, acknowledging flaws, and striving for connection. But what makes this voice note so compelling? And what can we learn from it about our own relationships, both personal and professional?
The Context: A Rooftop Scene and a Rewritten Script
The voice note was reportedly sent after a tense meeting between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively regarding the script for It Ends With Us. Blake had rewritten a pivotal rooftop scene, and Justin’s initial reaction to the changes was, by his own admission, “less than warm.” The specifics of the disagreement remain private, but the aftermath—a heartfelt apology recorded in the quiet hours of the night—speaks volumes about the importance of addressing conflict with humility and grace.
Key Themes in the Apology
- Acknowledging Fault: Justin doesn’t shy away from admitting his mistakes. He takes full responsibility for his reaction, saying, “I f**ed up. I will admit and apologize when I fail.” This level of accountability is rare, especially in high-pressure environments like film sets.
- Vulnerability: The voice note is deeply personal. Justin describes himself as “a very flawed man,” a sentiment many can relate to. By exposing his imperfections, he creates a space for genuine connection.
- Empathy: Justin recognizes the effort Blake put into rewriting the scene and validates her perspective. This shows a willingness to see the situation through her eyes, a crucial component of effective communication.
- Timing and Effort: The fact that Justin recorded this note at 2 AM underscores the urgency he felt to make things right. It’s a reminder that apologies shouldn’t wait for the “right” moment—they should come from the heart, as soon as possible.
Here are the cringiest moments from the message—parts that feel over-the-top, awkward, or unnecessary:
1. The Over-Apologizing Spiral
“I want to start with an apology… My heart sank… I’m really sorry… I for sure fell short… That was a fail on my part… One thing you should know about me is I will admit and apologize when I fail… I am far from perfect… I am a very flawed man… I’m going to pluck up… I’m going to say the wrong thing… I’m going to put my foot in my mouth… I’m going to **** you off probably… But I will always apologize and find my way back to the center.”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
This goes way too far into self-flagellation. A simple, confident apology would have sufficed, but this feels like the sender is groveling and making it about their mistakes rather than just fixing things.
2. The “I’m Just So Damn Excited” Energy Dump
“I’m just excited to spend time with you. I’m excited to be in your sphere and your presence and for us to share creative juices together a little—that sounds terrible, you know… I think you and I have been trying to build a relationship, which I think we’ve done successfully…”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
- “Creative juices” – Just… no.
- “Excited to be in your sphere” – Sounds too worshipful, almost like fan behavior.
- Overstating the relationship – This sounds like a needy friend trying to make sure you’re still cool with them.
3. The Midnight Overshare
“I mean, here we are talking like this—me into my phone at 2:00 in the morning but largely via text and voice note—and that I will be honest with you, that is not my biggest strength. I love being with people and being in somebody’s presence. So definitely, I’ve fallen short at times in our text and voice note exchanges because there’s so much to communicate, and there’s so much happening…”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
This is TMI about how bad they are at texting. The 2 AM mention makes it feel like they are oversharing their personal struggle when the recipient probably just wants a normal message.
4. The Blown-Away Rant About the Industry
“I am so sorry you have been through what you’ve been through with these other filmmakers and producers or whoever the people were that you worked with, and it just pisses me off. Those buckheads! I’m just still kind of blown away that this is the industry we’re in and that you’ve experienced that as a woman.”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
- “Those buckheads” – Trying to sound angry but just sounds goofy.
- Takes over the narrative – The recipient is the one who suffered, but now the sender is making it about their shock and emotions.
5. The Blake Lively Name-Drop
“There’s nothing more exciting to me than that I get to work with Blake Lively and have her—all of her—that’s what I want.”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
- Randomly bringing up Blake Lively? Feels out of place and unnecessary.
- “Have her—all of her” – This sounds weirdly possessive and awkward.
6. The Weird “Secret Sauce” Thing
“And I just know that this can be really, really special. And it’s going to be special. And you’re the secret sauce. And we’re the secret sauce.”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
- Saying “secret sauce” twice makes it sound overly dramatic and forced.
- This is a corporate PowerPoint phrase, not an emotionally deep sentiment.
7. The Ridiculous Time Check and Baby Overshare
*”Anyways, I have so much more to say, but I’m gonna stop rambling because—Jesus Christ—it’s been six minutes and 30 seconds! So funk me. I’m sorry, you probably have kids all over you and a baby on your ***, and you’re listening to me ramble at 2:00 in the morning.”
🫣 Why it’s cringe:
- Overly dramatic about the time – Like, no one cares how long you’ve been talking.
- Baby reference is just too much – This part feels way too personal and weirdly visual.
Final Verdict?
🔹 This message has good intentions, but the execution is awkward, overly apologetic, and cringey in its desperate need for reassurance.
🔹 It tries too hard to be deep, vulnerable, and emotional, but ends up sounding like a late-night overshare from someone spiraling in self-doubt.
🔹 The Blake Lively mention, secret sauce thing, and creative juices line make it extra weird in a way that just doesn’t land well.
Lessons We Can Learn
Justin’s voice note isn’t just a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of a Hollywood film set—it’s also a teachable moment for all of us. Here are some key takeaways:
- Apologize Sincerely and Promptly: When you mess up, don’t wait to make things right. A timely, heartfelt apology can go a long way in repairing relationships.
- Take Full Responsibility: Avoid deflecting blame or making excuses. Acknowledge your mistakes and their impact on others.
- Be Vulnerable: Admitting your flaws doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. Vulnerability fosters trust and connection.
- Listen and Validate: A good apology isn’t just about saying sorry—it’s about showing the other person that you understand their perspective and value their feelings.
- Put in the Effort: Whether it’s a seven-minute voice memo or a face-to-face conversation, meaningful apologies require time and effort. Don’t cut corners.
The Bigger Picture: Accountability in the Public Eye
While the voice note is a private exchange, it raises interesting questions about accountability in the public eye. Celebrities are often held to impossibly high standards, and their every misstep is scrutinized. But Justin’s approach—owning his mistakes and striving to do better—offers a refreshing alternative to the usual cycle of denial and deflection. It’s a reminder that everyone, regardless of fame or status, has the capacity to grow and change.
Conclusion: The Power of a Genuine Apology
Justin Baldoni’s 2 AM voice note is cringe.
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