Colleen Hoover, the acclaimed author and producer behind the film adaptation of her bestselling novel “It Ends with Us,” recently shared with her 1.9 million Instagram followers that she is currently battling cancer. Posting a candid photo of herself in a hospital gown, undergoing radiation treatment, Hoover revealed she is on her “second to last day” of therapy. Despite the circumstances, she expressed gratitude for her care team at Texas Oncology, saying, “I wish I could blame my hair and facial expressions on them, but they’ve been great.”
“It Ends with Us,” which stars Blake Lively, has received significant attention in the media, not just for its box office success—earning $148 million in domestic revenue and $350 million globally—but also due to the controversy surrounding its production. Hoover’s film faced scrutiny after Lively filed a legal complaint against director and producer Jay Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Baldoni has denied these allegations and countered with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and orchestrating a smear campaign. Much of Baldoni’s countersuit was subsequently dismissed by a judge, with the case set to return to court for a hearing on January 22 and a trial date scheduled for May 18.
Hoover had alluded to her health struggles in late 2025, missing significant events leading up to the premiere of her other film, “Regretting You.” In a heartfelt message, she explained, “I’m super bummed, but am having an unavoidable surgery and can’t travel for a while.” She later shared that the cancer had been removed through surgery and that she was undergoing further treatments with radiation. In a separate post, she encouraged her fans to pay attention to their health, urging them to listen to their bodies when something feels “off.”
With “It Ends with Us” based on Hoover’s 2016 novel, the storyline explores the complexities of toxic relationships, focusing on the character Lily Bloom, portrayed by Lively, as she struggles with the impacts of her traumatic childhood and a challenging romance with a neurosurgeon played by Baldoni.
While the film has achieved considerable box office success, the personal challenges faced by Hoover and the legal drama surrounding the production reveal a more complicated narrative behind its release. As she navigates her health battle, Hoover’s story serves as a reminder of resilience in both personal and professional spheres, and her determination to share her journey continues to inspire many.