For Justin Baldoni, It Ends With Us was more than just a film—it became a special moment for his children.
The Jane The Virgin alum, who directed and starred alongside Blake Lively in the Colleen Hoover adaptation, recently revealed how his kids, Maiya, 9, and Maxwell, 7, made their film debut in the project.
“They’re in the final scene at the farmer’s market,” Baldoni shared in an exclusive interview with E! News.
“There are two kids running into the market—that was their debut. I said, ‘Action,’ and they ran off. They tell all their friends about it. That’s the extent of their interest in the industry, for now.”
Though his daughter, Maiya, shows signs of being a “natural director,” and Maxwell has the energy of a “natural performer,” Baldoni noted that acting might not be their calling. “They’ve never expressed interest in being actors—they just wanted to be in Daddy’s movie to tell their friends.”
Baldoni, who married his wife Emily in 2013, emphasized that he remains “detached” from any specific career prospects for his children, instead focusing on their happiness.
“They’re so smart and creative, much more than I ever was,” he said.
While Baldoni doesn’t push his children toward entertainment, he’s passionate about instilling values through his work.
The cofounder of Wayfayer Production Studios has a history of creating projects that foster meaningful conversations, including Five Feet Apart, It Ends With Us, and the recent Will Ferrell documentary Will & Harper.
His latest endeavor, however, steps beyond filmmaking. Baldoni has partnered with Purina Dog Chow’s “Service Dog Salute,” a category of the New York Dog Film Festival, to raise awareness about how service dogs help veterans with PTSD.
“I’ve spent a lot of time working to destigmatize mental health, particularly for men,” the Man Enough podcast host explained. “PTSD is rarely talked about in a nuanced way, especially in film.”
The film festival category not only spreads awareness but also raises funds for training dogs to assist veterans.
“I’m grateful to be part of promoting an organization that makes a real difference in veterans’ lives,” Baldoni said.
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