Actor Justin Baldoni Shares Heartfelt Letter to Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Justin Baldoni attends the "It Ends With Us" New York Premiere on Aug. 06, 2024. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Actor Justin Baldoni sent a message of encouragement to survivors of domestic violence.

On Aug. 31, the director and star of the newly released film “It Ends With Us” posted a heartfelt letter to survivors on Instagram in collaboration with Survivor Love Letter, a movement that encourages people to write letters of support for survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

“Dear survivor,” the letter started. “You embody resilience and courage, qualities that shine bright even on the darkest days. In the tapestry of your life, each thread tells a story of endurance, strength, and hope. Every step forward you take, no matter how small, is a declaration of your unyielding spirit and an inspiration to others.”

“You may not always see the impact you have, but your journey encourages and motivates, lighting the path for those of us still searching for the light,” it continued.

Baldoni said that while he can never completely understand the “pain” domestic violence inflicts on survivors, he stands with them in this fight.

“We are with you. You are not just surviving; you are thriving, and in your thriving, you inspire us all,” the letter reads.

The 40-year-old actor concluded the letter with a particular wish for survivors: “May your journey forward be filled with moments of profound peace. And may you remember that as you fight for joy…you are liberating us all.”

“Sending you gratitude, strength, and love,” he added.

Baldoni played the role of Ryle Kincaid in the 2024 movie “It Ends With Us,” opposite actress Blake Lively’s Lily Bloom. An adaptation of the book by New York Bestseller Collen Hoover, the film features complex themes such as mental and physical abuse.

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight during an Aug. 6 premiere in New York City, the “Jane The Virgin” alum explained his purpose for making the film.

“What comes to mind isn’t so much the work that went into it but the ‘why’ behind it,” he began.

“The ‘why’ was that if a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and she leaves the theater and chooses something different for herself,” he continued. “That’s why I made the movie.”

Baldoni’s Career

Baldoni got his start in acting through a minor role in the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.” He went on to appear in television films “The Wedding Daze” (2004) and “Spring Break Shark Attack” (2005), and theatrical films such as “The House Bunny” (2008) and “After Dusk They Came” (2009).

In 2008, Baldoni wrote, directed, and produced his first music video, “Armed,” which earned him an “Audience Choice Award” at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival. In 2012, he created an online documentary called “My Last Days.” The series quickly became “one of the most watched YouTube documentary series of all time,” according to the CW network, where the second and third seasons aired.

One of Baldoni’s best-known roles was Rafael Solano in the CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” where he starred in all five seasons. He went on to direct and produce the 2019 romantic drama film “Five Feet Apart” and the Disney teen film “Clouds” (2020) before directing, producing, and starring in the 2024 romantic drama “It Ends With Us,” which was released in August.

Baldoni married Swedish actress Emily Baldoni in July 2013. They have a daughter and a son together.