Brandon Sklenar’s Career Rise: From It Ends With Us to Hollywood’s Spotlight

In Hollywood, timing and alliances can shape a career just as much as talent. A striking example of this is actor Brandon Sklenar’s recent rise to fame following his role in It Ends With Us. While he had previous acting credits, his career trajectory changed significantly after being cast by Justin Baldoni in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. However, his actions surrounding the film’s premiere and his evolving professional associations suggest a deeper story — one that leaves room for speculation about his loyalties and career strategy.

Before It Ends With Us: Who Was Brandon Sklenar?

Before joining It Ends With Us, Sklenar was building a steady career in both film and television. He had notable roles in:

• Midway (2019) — Portraying George H. Gay Jr. in the war epic.

• Mapplethorpe (2018) — Playing Edward Mapplethorpe in the biopic.

• 1923 (2022–2023) — Gaining recognition as Spencer Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel series.

While 1923 increased his visibility, he was not yet a household name. His casting as Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, under the direction of Justin Baldoni, was a major opportunity to solidify his place in Hollywood.

The Premiere Controversy: Who Was Really Sidelined?

At the It Ends With Us New York City premiere in August 2024, reports surfaced that Justin Baldoni and his family were kept in the basement while the rest of the cast — including Blake Lively — celebrated upstairs. If true, this raises serious questions about behind-the-scenes tensions and the dynamics between the film’s key players.

Interestingly, Sklenar has remained quiet on the matter, despite the fact that Baldoni was the one who cast him in the film. This silence, combined with his later comments, suggests a calculated distancing from Baldoni.

The Brooch Incident: A Missed Opportunity for Neutrality

At the premiere, Baldoni accessorized his pale pink suit with a blush-pink floral brooch, identified as the Blush Parrot Bloom Pin by Anabela Chan. Months later, Sklenar wore the exact same brooch to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March 2025.

When asked whether he wore the brooch to support Baldoni, Sklenar dismissed the idea, stating:

“I had an idea that I wanted to wear a floral brooch of some kind and that was the color I liked best. And, lo and behold, someone also wore that prior to me wearing it.”

This response is significant for two reasons:

1. He avoided acknowledging Baldoni by name, despite knowing full well that he wore it first.

2. His response contradicted his earlier Today Show statement, where he had said he was “Team It Ends With Us.” If he truly wanted to support the film’s message, he could have reinforced that stance when asked about the brooch.

Instead, his response felt like an intentional dodge — one that aligned him with whoever was controlling the narrative at the premiere rather than standing by Baldoni.

Following Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: A Strategic Career Move?

Since It Ends With Us, Sklenar’s career has surged, securing new roles in upcoming projects like Green and Gold and Drop. Meanwhile, his professional associations appear to be shifting toward Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, two of Hollywood’s most powerful figures. While there’s no concrete evidence of favoritism, the optics suggest that he may have benefited from aligning himself with Lively over Baldoni.

If Sklenar had been vocal about supporting It Ends With Us — as he initially claimed — his actions would have matched his words. Instead, his calculated distancing from Baldoni and his reluctance to acknowledge who gave him his big break raise questions about his true alliances.

Conclusion: A Career Move or a Coincidence?

Brandon Sklenar’s rise in Hollywood is undeniable. Whether his choices were intentional power plays or simply the result of industry politics remains up for debate. However, the way he handled the premiere, the brooch controversy, and his response to questions about his loyalties make one thing clear: he’s playing the Hollywood game, and so far, it’s working in his favor.

But at what cost? If It Ends With Us was supposed to be about supporting survivors of domestic violence, distancing himself from the person who cast him and championed the film’s message doesn’t exactly align with that cause. In the end, actions speak louder than words — and Sklenar’s actions have eyebrows raised.