Ruth Simonsen – Page 3 – The Western Howl

February 26, 2025

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend was a three-day spectacle, bringing together the league’s top talent, celebrities and passionate fans for an unforgettable celebration of basketball. Held from Feb. 14 – 16 in the San Francisco Bay Area, the event took over Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. It delivered thrilling competitions, including the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, the Starry 3-Point Contest and the much-anticipated All-Star Game. This 74th edition of the NBA’s marquee midseason event struck a perfect balance between tradition and innovation, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, where musicians, actors, athletes and social media influencers took center stage. Team Bonds, led by MLB legend Barry Bonds and rapper 2 Chainz, faced off against Team Rice, coached by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and viral sensation Khaby Lame. The game delivered plenty of entertainment, from comedian Kevin Hart’s surprisingly sharp playmaking to Grammy-winning artist J. Cole’s smooth jump shooting. In a contested matchup, Team Bonds came out with the victory, with actor and model Rome Flynn earning MVP honors for his all-around performance.
Following the celebrity showdown, the Rising Stars Challenge showcased the league’s most promising young talent in a fast-paced, tournament-style format. Four teams — Team T, Team C, Team G League and Team M — battled in target-score games. In the semifinals, Team C worked past Team T, 40-34, while Team G League edged out a nail-biting 40-39 victory over Team M. The championship matchup saw Team C dominate Team G League with a 25-14 win, fueled by an outstanding performance from San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who was named MVP.
Saturday’s festivities began with the NBA All-Star Practice, giving fans an exclusive look at their favorite stars in action. The relaxed practice session featured lighthearted drills, team bonding moments and behind-the-scenes interviews. Later in the day, the NBA HBCU Classic took center stage, spotlighting two historically Black colleges and universities in a competitive matchup. The game not only showcased rising talent, but also reinforced the NBA’s ongoing commitment to supporting HBCU athletics and education.

The evening’s main event, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, brought the action to another level with three of the most highly anticipated skill-based competitions.
The Kia Skills Challenge featured four teams: Team Cavs (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley), Team Rooks (Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr), Team Spurs (Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama) and Team Warriors (Draymond Green, Moses Moody). After a difficult series of dribbling, passing and shooting challenges, Team Cavs emerged victorious, with Mitchell’s leadership and Mobley’s versatility stealing the show.
Next came the Starry 3-Point Contest, where eight elite sharpshooters — Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield, Darius Garland, Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Cade Cunningham, Cameron Johnson and Norman Powell — competed for the title of the NBA’s most precise marksman. In a thrilling finale, Tyler Herro beat Buddy Hield with a clutch shot on his last rack, while also preventing Damian Lillard from achieving a potential three-peat.
The night reached its climax with the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, where Mac McClung, Stephon Castle, Andre Jackson Jr. and Matas Buzelis put on an impressive display of athleticism. McClung stole the show once again, successfully defending his title. He threw down a series of never-before-seen acrobatic dunks that earned him perfect scores from every judge. His performance capped off an unforgettable Saturday night.
Sunday night introduced a brand-new format for the 74th NBA All-Star Game, altering the traditional matchup into a four-team mini-tournament. Each squad, composed of eight players, was drafted by honorary general managers. These managers and teams included Charles Barkley’s “Chuck’s Global Stars,” Shaquille O’Neal’s “Shaq’s OGs,” Kenny Smith’s “Kenny’s Young Stars,” and Candace Parker’s “Candace’s Rising Stars.”
The tournament consisted of two semifinal games played to a target score of 40, followed by a championship game played to 50. In the first semifinal, Chuck’s Global Stars defeated Kenny’s Young Stars, 41-32, while Shaq’s OGs narrowly overcame Candace’s Rising Stars, 42-35. The final matchup saw Shaq’s OGs dominate, securing a 50-36 victory over Chuck’s Global Stars.
Playing in his home arena, Stephen Curry delivered a masterclass in shooting for Shaq’s OGs. Curry dazzled the crowd with his signature deep threes and effortless playmaking, and fans erupted when he sealed the championship with a spectacular half-court shot, solidifying his MVP honors and capping off a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend successfully combined elite competition with top-tier entertainment, giving fans a weekend that will be remembered for years to come. As the NBA continues to evolve, its annual midseason classic remains a thrilling celebration of the sport, uniting athletes and fans alike in a shared love for the game.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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Giving back

February 26, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

March 4, 2025, marks Western’s annual Giving Day — a way for people to donate to their chosen clubs, organizations, scholarships or other funds. Started in 2016, Giving Day has been an integral part of making sure the university and its students have the resources they need.

Nearly every college and university has a day specifically for crowdfunding. For Western, it’s “Howl from the Heart.” It is a component of “Wolves Rising: The Campaign for Western Oregon University,”a fundraising program launched Dec. 14, 2024, with an overall goal of raising $20 million for the university to better support students overall.

Western has highlighted funds on the Giving Day website, including athletics, the Student Success Center, scholarships and the “Future Wolves Fund.” The website also promotes donating to the “Fund for WOU.” This is a general fund that will go toward the areas with the most need, such as campus maintenance and facilities, offsetting operating expenses and funding current campus activities.

Every year, Giving Day gets bigger and better. This year, Western has a goal in sight of $300,000, compared to the nearly $250,000 that was reached last year. The crowdfunding day also has more than 60 funds to support, compared to last year’s 40 funds.

On Giving Day 2024, the university created a service and volunteer aspect so students can give back to both Western and the surrounding communities. This year, the students’ community service will extend to Salem for park cleanup — an occupational therapy project. Alongside it, a blood drive on campus was hosted successfully. A need for student volunteers remains at Heron Pointe Senior Living in Monmouth to spend time with seniors from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 4. Students can sign up to volunteer by going to this Google Form.

If students want to find volunteer opportunities outside of Giving Day, a service fair will be held on campus on March 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Willamette room of the Werner University Center that will help organizations needing volunteers get connected with students.

If a certain club, organization or other facet of Western isn’t listed on the website, donors can press the red “Make a Gift” button in the top right corner. This page allows donors to designate their gift to the place of their choice.

Everyone is welcome to participate in Western’s Giving Day, including students, alumni, faculty, friends of the university and other community members. It is a great way for anyone to show their support, regardless of their affiliation with Western.

If people would like to get more involved in Giving Day, and potentially win a $50 gift card, they can sign up to become a Giving Day Ambassador.

“Giving Day Ambassadors are people just like you — students, staff, faculty, parents and friends of the university,” David Beasley, the director of development, annual giving and sponsorships, said in an email to the student body. “By signing up to be a Giving Day Ambassador, you can let alumni, friends, family, colleagues and others know about how they can support Western students.”

Two students can each win a gift card, with one student bringing in the most gifts and the other raising the most money. To become an ambassador, press the “Ambassador Sign-up” button on the Giving Day website. Then, fill out the short form and choose what program to support. After submitting the form, potential ambassadors will receive a unique donation link through email. When Giving Day arrives, they can share the link with others and give them the opportunity to donate to the ambassador’s chosen fund.

If one does not receive a link from an ambassador and would still like to donate, many options are available, including calling 503-838-8814, visiting the Giving Day website — givingday.wou.edu — or going to The Cottage on Western’s campus and giving donations in-person.

A Feb. 12 press release written by Maureen Brakke stated, “Join Western Oregon University on March 4, 2025, for Howl from the Heart. Make a meaningful contribution and help ensure that every student at Western has the resources they need to thrive.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Inner peace in politics

February 26, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Politics can be hard to escape, and it’s been especially hard to find peace with what’s been happening lately in the world, whether it’s the latest elected official, new executive order, the ongoing ideological battles resulting in increasing polarization or the spread of misinformation. Politics have always been heated, but the most recent election has brought out the extremes. While it is important to stay informed, it’s also crucial to protect one’s mental and emotional peace. Here are some practical strategies to help navigate the chaotic world of politics without sacrificing one’s well-being.

Limit media consumption — Many things may feel out of control with the fast changes of this nation, but one thing we have control over is the amount of political news consumed. The media thrives on sensationalism. Constant exposure to negative headlines or partisan commentary can contribute to stress and anxiety, resulting in nihilism. Countering these negative impacts by setting a designated amount of time each day for political news can be beneficial. This could be looking at what’s going on during breakfast or after work, instead of doom scrolling throughout the day.

Another way is to be intentional about where one gets their news. Always choose reputable, balanced sources of information that focus on facts rather than emotion-driven content. Some news networks that are mostly unbiased include @realtalkingfish on Instagram, The Guardian, Associated Press, NPR and the Wall Street Journal.

Set boundaries with social media — Platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram often fuel polarizing political discourse. Political debates, heated arguments and the spread of misinformation can quickly turn “for you” pages into battlefields. While social media can be a powerful tool for staying informed, it can also become a toxic environment if not managed well.

One can take control by actively seeking out posts and discussions that promote healthy perspectives and unfollowing topics/accounts that trigger stress or anger. It is also important to know when to step back from platforms that no longer benefit one’s mental health. There’s nothing wrong with taking a digital detox every once in a while. Disconnecting from the online world helps to reset and refocus on different aspects of one’s life.

Engage in politics in moderation — While it’s important to be informed on what’s going on in the world, excessive engagement in politics can drain one’s energy. It’s extremely easy to fall down the rabbit hole of endless debates, commentary and updates. While it’s good to participate in democracy, it’s also okay to take a break from the constant political conversation. One should focus on meaningful conversations with others who respect differing opinions, and avoid conversations when they become toxic. Remember that one is allowed to step back and save energy for moments that matter most.

Prioritize self-care — With all of politics’ unpredictability and polarization, they can take a toll on one’s mental and emotional health. Self-care is an effective way to combat stress. One should take time for activities that bring joy and relaxation — reading a book, going for a walk, practicing yoga or spending time with friends and family. Exercise is also important for managing stress. Physical activity helps by releasing endorphins, which are the body’s natural form of stress relief. Also, when one is feeling overwhelmed by political events, one should consider practicing mindfulness and meditation to center oneself and become grounded.

Practice emotional detachment — This is one of the most effective ways to protect one’s peace. This doesn’t mean abandoning one’s values or disengaging from important causes. Instead, it prioritizes learning how to emotionally distance oneself from the turbulence of politics. It’s easy to feel personally affected by political decisions, especially when the stakes are high regarding the continued rights of specific minority groups. It’s also important to recognize which factors are beyond one’s control. Try adopting a mindset that accepts uncertainty and focuses on what one can control, such as how one reacts to political events. If a political event triggers anger or frustration, take a moment to acknowledge those feelings and decide the next step to take. This could simply be letting those feelings go, or taking a specific action.

Surround oneself with supportive people — One’s social circle can play a huge role in emotional well-being. Surround oneself with people who uplift and support instead of those who constantly push their political opinions or engage in unproductive discussions. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect. Nurturing friendships with people who value peace and personal boundaries can make the difference when trying to protect one’s sanity. If political discussion happens in group settings that make one uncomfortable, it’s okay to respectfully steer the conversation in a different direction or excuse oneself from the conversation altogether.

Find balance with perspective — It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when lost in the political noise. In the heat of the moment, political events can feel like life-and-death, but it’s important to maintain perspective. Take time to reflect on what’s truly important in one’s life — relationships, health, personal growth and emotional well-being. Although politics influence the world around us, they don’t have to define one’s happiness.

Engage in constructive conversations — When discussing politics with others, try to engage in constructive, respectful conversations rather than arguments. Try to avoid getting drawn into heated debates where emotions take control. One doesn’t have to agree with everyone, but it’s important to be able to be satisfied and proud of one’s actions and words. If one is ashamed at the end of the day, maybe it’s time to understand where one needs to change. If a discussion starts to get too intense, it’s okay to politely disengage. Protecting one’s peace sometimes means stepping away from situations that threaten emotional stability.

Politics in the United States can be overwhelming, but one doesn’t have to let them take a toll on their mental and emotional health. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that love is more powerful than hate, to stick to one’s values and to understand that some relationships are not as simple as a difference in ideas.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Lovin’ the lüften lifestyle

February 26, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Lüften is a German practice of opening windows to air out a space and improve air quality in a home. This practice is deeply rooted in German tradition, which is seen as a way of life, and aligns with the values of cleanliness and health. This widely powerful tradition promotes better air quality, health and comfort. There are three techniques that one could practice.

Stoßlüften is also known as shock or impact ventilation. In order to participate in this practice, one should open windows or balcony doors wide to let cold air in. This allows the air to quickly exchange and flush out the stale air. This is most effective in the winter, but all of the seasons have different time limits to accommodate the lower temperatures — 5 minutes in the winter, 10-15 minutes in autumn and spring and 30 minutes in the summer.

The second technique is known as Querlüften. This is also known as cross ventilation. Cross ventilation involves opening all the windows of a house to allow fresh air to flow. This technique has many goals, such as getting rid of smells and stopping rooms from getting too humid.

The third technique is Kipplüften. This technique involves opening the windows slightly, which results in continuous ventilation at a slower pace compared to Querlüften and Stoßlüften. This is the preferred practice since it acts as an efficient way to clear out old air and reduce indoor pollutants. It is also used in warmer months.

All these techniques improve air quality in the room, keeping the air from getting too dry and stale. There are many benefits to the practice that can positively impact one’s life. First, colder temperatures are associated with better sleep. According to Healthline, a cooler room will naturally match the body’s drop in temperature, making it easier to fall and stay asleep. The temperature should be around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. One way to get the most out of this practice is not overdoing it. One should find the balance of getting enough fresh air and ventilation while also making sure that the temperature supports one’s sleep. Another is to monitor temperatures and air quality. When the weather dips below freezing it can actually be detrimental to one’s health. During this time, one should instead set the thermostat to a cool temperature that promotes better rest. It’s also important to pay attention to air quality. According to airNow.gov, the value of air quality should be between 0 to 150. These levels do not affect the majority of the public, but anything over 150 is unhealthy, and many experience adverse health effects. “If the air outside isn’t safe to breathe, it’s best to leave the windows shut,” airNow.gov states.

This intentional practice aims to break the norm of modern society of staying indoors for long periods of time. Stagnant air negatively impacts a person because it leads to a build-up of allergens, bacteria and unpleasant odors which contribute to headaches, fatigue and respiratory issues. Lüften has a positive effect on one’s mood by creating a more relaxed and inviting atmosphere for others. Incorporating this practice could be the thing a home needs to feel fresh and energetic.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Healthy is proactive

February 26, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Living a healthy lifestyle can be difficult, especially when navigating through seasons of annual illness. Oregon’s cold and flu season typically runs from October to May. During the 2024-2025 flu season, health officials have noticed that cases have skyrocketed. As one attempts to end winter on a healthy note, health becomes a top priority for many. One of the best ways to get through the cold and flu season is to take a preventive approach. This includes staying home when one is feeling under the weather or sick, giving extra space to other people in public, wearing a mask when needed, washing hands more frequently, eating a balanced diet, getting an adequate amount of sleep and, most effectively, getting the flu shot. Although vaccines have become a controversial topic, taking preventative measures to protect the health of oneself and others is of the utmost importance.

To understand why the flu vaccine is important in the name of public health, one should know what influenza is and how it functions. Influenza is a virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs — meaning it mainly attacks the respiratory system. This virus travels through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. When someone is exposed to the flu, some of the symptoms a person can experience are a sore throat, a runny nose, fever, cough, headache, fatigue and chills within a couple of days.

One may wonder what the flu vaccine has to do with lifestyle, but there are several effects. As finals week approaches, students are preparing for projects, essays, exams and many other assignments. With this upcoming stress, the immune system becomes susceptible to illness. Getting sick isn’t an ideal situation when one has a full schedule. Outside of the classroom, some might have to call out of work and bills might pile up. Getting the flu shot will result in milder symptoms, allowing a person to return to work and get back to studying if one gets exposed to the flu. Another reason is that it can protect children and the elderly. Many people have younger siblings, cousins or even grandparents that can have complications if they get the flu and then another illness. Protecting oneself and living a healthy lifestyle includes protecting the health of our friends, family and neighbors. Some strains of the flu can be more aggressive — such as bird flu H5N1 — and overwhelm hospitals. This results in fewer beds for other patients with other life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

There are some arguments against the annual flu shot, including the belief that the flu isn’t serious. Although people older than 5 and younger than 65 can quickly recover from the flu, not everyone is lucky to fully recover from the flu. Depending on the severity of the infection, some people who fall into the high recovery rate demographic could end up with disability or death — unfortunately, death and disability do not discriminate. According to the CDC, the 2024-2025 flu season has resulted in 24 million positive cases, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths, including at least 57 children. To put this in perspective, these are someone’s children, siblings, cousins, parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, teachers, doctors, neighbors and friends.

Sadly, the controversy of the topic has led to the direct increase in preventable illness and death. To live a healthy lifestyle, one should strive to take a proactive approach. This lifestyle reaches far beyond oneself and one should strive to live a life filled with compassion, empathy and love. Just as one would take their vitamins and get an annual checkup, this simple step can leave one healthy, happy and protected.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Into the Maasverse

February 26, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: This article contains spoilers for “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” “Crescent City” and “Throne of Glass”

Spanning 16 books across three different series, Sarah J. Maas’ works have been translated into 38 languages and have sold over 12 million copies across the globe. All three of the series fit into different niches of their genre — romantasy, urban fantasy and high fantasy — but when diving into Maas’ works for the first time, most readers don’t realize that they are connected in one universe. After all, I didn’t and I’m 12 books deep.

Unless one has read all three series, this isn’t as obvious. Most of the connections between the three only become clear in “House of Sky and Breath” and “House of Flame and Shadow,” the second and third books of the series “Crescent City.”

The most glaring is when Bryce Quinlan, the series’ main heroine, discovers that the Asteri — the godlike beings that rule their world — have been feeding off the people to fuel their immortality. Across centuries and millennia, the Asteri have traveled across worlds inter-dimensionally to feed off the people that live there.

When Rigelus, the Asteri’s leader, begins to pursue her, Bryce uses her abilities to open a portal and cross into Prythian, the continent where “A Court of Thorns and Roses” takes place. There, under the watchful eye of Nesta and Azriel, Bryce discovers that her ancestor, Theia, was originally from Prythian. This information suggests that Theia is the ancestor of Rhysand, as one of her daughters returned to Prythian from Lunation, and it is currently the most popular fan theory.

The connection between these two series and “Throne of Glass,” however, is not as obvious. It isn’t until “Kingdom of Ash” that we even see glimpses of Prythian or Lunathion.

When Aelin burns out and uses an immense amount of her powers, she begins to fall between worlds. During this fall, she observes what fans believe to be Lunathion and she is eventually slowed by none other than Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court.

These examples alone show how interconnected Maas’ series are. Whether she began writing her series to connect them or not, having them exist in the same multiverse opens up an entirely new door of possibilities.

For example, in the bonus chapter of “House of Flame and Shadow,” Bryce returns to Prythian and brings her mother, Ember, with her. There, Ember and Bryce interact with all of the Inner Circle, Rhysand’s group of friends and advisors in “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” and suggests that Bryce’s ability to cross over the worlds can be used for a much larger purpose — perhaps even bringing an army to Lunation or Prythian to help defeat the next world-ending threat.

However, fans have noticed other commonalities between the three series long before Maas connected them explicitly. Most connect “Crescent City” to “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” rather than vice versa. What this means isn’t certain, though it likely sets up a “past, present and future” scenario between the three: “A Court of Thorns and Roses” as the past, “Throne of Glass” as the present and “Crescent City” as the future.

This “past, present and future” theory arises from the fact that out of the three series, only one has gods that have remained in their world: “Crescent City.” In “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” the gods have been long gone, now nameless and forgotten, while in “Throne of Glass,” both the gods and magic have been gone for eight years. This also supports the theory that the Asteri also once were in Prythian and Erilea — where “Throne of Glass” takes place — but were forced to leave at some point.

Out of all of the connections across the books, my favorite is the connection between Aelin Galathynius, the protagonist of “Throne of Glass,” and Lidia Cervos, a minor, antihero-type character in “Crescent City.”

The similarities between these women are glaring and go much deeper than just their appearances. Of course, both are described to look very similar — golden blonde hair, pale skin and eyes that are somehow both gold and blue — but even Lidia and Aelin’s ability to wield fire is nearly identical. Stags are the symbol of Aelin’s kingdom, Terrasen, and Lidia is one of the most powerful Stag shifters of her long lineage. Even one of Lidia’s sons is named Brannon, who was the first fire-wielding king of Terrasen and Aelin’s ancestor.

The Autumn Kings of “Crescent City” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” are also theorized to be related to the line of Terrasen or even just plain connected to one another.

Yes, that’s right. Two separate kings who rule over two separate courts in two separate series with the same name? It might just seem like a coincidence, but it’s in more than just their names.

While Einar rules over the Valbaran Fae in Lunathion and Beron rules over the Autumn Court, they both have wine-red hair and tanned skin and are described as power-hungry, cold Fae men.

Not convinced yet? Well, their strange gold and blue eyes and fire powers are what wrap this package up with a neat little bow. It’s also these attributes that lead fans to theorize the connection between the Autumn Kings and the line of Terrasen.

Another important minor detail is the style of tattoos throughout the three series, especially between those of Feyre Archeron and Rowan Whitethorn, and Bryce Quinlan and Nesta Archeron.

Between Feyre and Rowan, there is no shortage of swirling black lines, most notably on their arms — Rowan’s tattoo travels up from his arm onto his neck and face — while Bryce and Nesta both have an eight-pointed star, Bryce’s in the middle of her chest and Nesta’s in the middle of her back.

Though it’s not exactly clear why these characters have such similar tattoos — the only tattoo we have explanations for is Bryce’s — it shows a deeper connection between the three fae cultures across three different continents and even series.

Of course, I might just be reading into all of these similarities too much. After all, it is common for authors to use recurring themes in their series, but with Maas connecting her stories in very explicit ways, it appears to be more than just coincidence.

Maas has yet to announce when the next books in “Crescent City” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” will be released, but with 16 books worth of information, there is plenty to devour and theorize on what exactly the author will be up to next.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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“It Ends With Us” controvery

February 26, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: This article contains mentions of sexual harassment

Hollywood is no stranger to lawsuits that take media coverage by storm. Just two years ago, the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial was at the forefront of everyone’s minds after both parties named each other in lawsuits following their 2017 divorce. While the lawsuit between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni will not see a courtroom until March 2026, that does not stop fans and celebrities alike from taking sides.

With all the attention the lawsuit has received on social media and the news, it can be confusing and overwhelming to filter through all of what’s going on.

From the movie’s release date in August to the most recent news, here is the full timeline of the drama surrounding “It Ends with Us.”

Aug. 6, 2024 — Baldoni walks the “It Ends With Us” premiere red carpet separately from the rest of the cast. Rumors of a feud between the director and the rest of the cast begin to surface, especially when Baldoni remains absent from movie press tours.

Aug. 9, 2024 — “It Ends With Us” makes its theatrical debut, earning $50 million on its opening weekend.

Aug. 13, 2024 — Baldoni hires Melissa Nathan as a crisis PR manager. Nathan previously worked with Johnny Depp in 2022.

Dec. 20, 2024 — Lively files a formal complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of “disturbing and unprofessional behavior on set that led to a hostile work environment.” Lively makes allegations that Baldoni entered her trailer uninvited while she was breastfeeding her child and making inappropriate comments about sex and porn while on set. Baldoni and his PR team are also accused of creating a smear campaign against Lively.

Dec. 21, 2024 — Baldoni is dropped by his talent agency, the same day The New York Times published an investigative story on the situation. Baldoni and Lively shared the same talent agency, and in Baldoni’s later lawsuit against The New York Times, he alleges that Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, demanded that the agency drop Baldoni as a client at the premiere of “Deadpool and Wolverine.”

Dec. 31, 2024 — Baldoni files a lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming the outlet used “cherry-picked and altered communications stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead.” He also refuted some of Lively’s claims, stating that his co-star invited him into her trailer and included a screenshot of their conversation. The same day, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in the state of New York after previously filing her complaint against Baldoni in California.

Jan. 16, 2025 — Baldoni files to directly sue Lively, Reynolds and Lively’s PR company. In this lawsuit, Baldoni accused Lively of never reading the book that their film was based on, thus making decisions that “reflected her fundamental lack of understanding of the book.” He also claims that Lively began to take control of the film, at one point going as far as to joke that Baldoni should get plastic surgery on his nose while filming a scene. Lively’s lawyers called the lawsuit a desperate attack on a woman, saying that it would fail in a press release.

Jan. 21, 2025 — Baldoni’s PR and legal teams release behind-the-scenes footage that they say contradicts Lively’s claims. The footage shows Lively and Baldoni slow dancing for a montage, and it is during this portion of filming that Lively alleges that Baldoni “leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck as he said, ‘it smells so good’ … When Lively later objected to this behavior, Baldoni’s response was, ‘I’m not even attracted to you.’” However, in the audio that was captured, Baldoni and Lively can be heard talking and joking out of character while filming the scene. Lively can be heard telling him, “I’m probably getting spray tan on you,” with Baldoni replying, “It smells good.”

Jan. 27, 2025 — A trial date is set for March of 2026 the same day an audio of Baldoni allegedly apologizing is released. Both Baldoni and Lively’s cases have been consolidated into Lively v. Baldoni et al and are scheduled to enter the courtroom March 9, 2026. A pre-trial begins, following Lively’s request for a gag order. This same day, a voice note that Baldoni allegedly sent was leaked of him apologizing for how he responded to Lively’s script changes: “I’m really sorry. I for sure fell short and you worked really hard on that.”

Feb. 1, 2025 — Baldoni launches a website where he plans to share evidence. The website, titled “Lawsuit Info,” contains the link to two PDFs of Baldoni’s complaint and a timeline of events, including allegations of everything that happened up to Lively’s casting and everything that has happened since, along with screenshots of alleged conversations.

Feb. 3, 2025 — Judge warns Baldoni and Lively’s lawyers to rein in their press war at the pre-trial.

Feb. 4, 2025 — Baldoni shares notes from a meeting with an intimacy coordinator, alleging that Lively skipped said meeting.

Feb. 19, 2025 — Lively files an amended complaint against Baldoni. Her lawyers claim that the amendment contains additional evidence, new communications and testimony from additional witnesses that they believe strengthen her argument.

Amidst all of this, Colleen Hoover, author of “It Ends With Us,” has removed all posts from her social media accounts about the film and deactivated her Instagram account. Fans speculate that she is quietly making her exit from writing due to the controversy.

Additionally, fans are also pointing out the similarities between Nicepool, a variant of Deadpool in “Deadpool and Wolverine,” and Baldoni, suggesting that Reynolds used the character to get back at Baldoni in support of his wife.

With accusations flying from both sides, it’s difficult to tell who is in the right or wrong in this case, and, like the Depp and Heard lawsuit, it seems like the aisle will remain divided in support of the actors.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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