Blake Lively thanked Colleen Hoover for “chang[ing]” her life in a lengthy birthday tribute to the “It Ends With Us” author.
“Everyone who knows this woman is changed for it,” the “Gossip Girl” alum, who starred as Lily Bloom in the August adaptation of Hoover’s novel, gushed on her Instagram Story Wednesday.
“She’s calm and steady,” Lively, 37, went on to write. “Her integrity is her foundation. Her humor levels you outta nowhere. Her quiet fortitude is mighty. And she always chooses the kindest path.
“She loves her fans,” the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” star continued. “She loves her friends. She loves her community. She loves her family. But mostly she loves Diet Pepsi. And oh boy do we love her.”
Lively concluded, “Happy Happy birthday @colleenhoover.
“My life has changed because of your work. Your art. Your friendship. For good. So many people’s have. And we thank you. Today and every day.”
In the upload, Lively and Hoover, 45, smiled in a selfie while eating corn with two other individuals.
News broke in January 2023 of Lively’s role in “It Ends With Us,” with Justin Baldon starring alongside her as Ryle Kincaid — and directing the project.
However, feud rumors surrounding the cast members dominated the press tour when the movie hit theaters in August.
Page Six reported that Baldoni, 40, made Lively feel “uncomfortable” on set, with Us Weekly claiming he was “hurt and sidelined” by creative decisions she made without consulting him.
The duo never commented on the speculation surrounding their dynamic.
Co-star Brandon Sklenar, for his part, insisted via Instagram that “vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive.”
The 34-year-old actor, who played Atlas Corrigan, wrote, “What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from [the project].”
At the time, Lively also made headlines for how she handled the movie’s serious theme of domestic violence in interviews.
She also went viral on social media for past “nightmare” interviews, including one that made an entertainment reporter “want to quit” her job.
Blake’s sister, Robyn Lively, and her husband, Bart Johnson, both came to the “Shallow” star’s defense with pointed Instagram posts.
As for whether Baldoni will take part in a sequel, the “Jane the Virgin” alum cast doubt on the possibility of directing a potential follow-up in an “Entertainment Tonight” interview.
“I think that there are better people for that one,” he cryptically told the outlet. “I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct, that’s what I think.”
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