It was already one of Hollywood’s most talked-about behind-the-scenes controversies. But now, Taylor Swift is officially part of the drama.
In a surprising legal twist, a judge has ruled that Justin Baldoni, actor and director of It Ends With Us, can obtain private messages between Blake Lively and her longtime friend Swift. The texts, which Lively reportedly referenced herself in court filings, have been deemed “relevant” to her ongoing harassment lawsuit against Baldoni.
From Costars to Courtroom Conflict
The lawsuit, which stems from Lively’s time filming It Ends With Us, alleges that Baldoni created a hostile and retaliatory work environment. Lively claims that the discomfort and tension on set extended beyond typical creative disagreements, and says Swift was someone she confided in during that time.
That connection is now central to the discovery process. In a ruling filed on June 18, Judge Lewis L. Liman wrote:
“Lively herself has identified Swift as someone likely to have knowledge about complaints or discussions regarding the working environment on the set of It Ends With Us.”
According to the judge, any messages between the two regarding the film or lawsuit are “reasonably tailored” to uncover information that might support or refute Lively’s claims.
A Protective Order — and a History of Allegations
Though Baldoni’s team now has access to the messages, the court also issued a protective order, ensuring that any correspondence between Lively and Swift cannot be leaked to the press.
This isn’t the first time Baldoni’s lawyers tried to involve Swift. Earlier, they attempted to subpoena the singer directly, alleging she was being used by Lively to sway creative decisions on the project. Swift’s camp swiftly denied involvement. They said she had no role in casting or production decisions, prompting the subpoena to be withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds was dismissed earlier this month. The judge ruled that the actor-director failed to prove defamation, dealing a legal blow to his team’s narrative.
Public Statements, Private Tensions
Lively took to Instagram after the dismissal of Baldoni’s countersuit with a heartfelt message:
“Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit… While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”
She thanked fans and supporters, including many she said she “didn’t even know”, vowing to keep advocating for others in similar situations.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, fired back quickly, calling Lively’s remarks “a predictable declaration of victory.” And he reiterated his client’s stance that the allegations are false and unprovable.
“This case is about false accusations… and a nonexistent smear campaign,” Freedman stated.
What’s Next — and Where Swift Fits In
At the center of this increasingly public legal fight is now a deeply private thread: the messages between Blake and Taylor.
While Swift has not made a public comment, her involvement, even by proximity, raises the stakes. The messages are unlikely to become public due to the court’s protective order. But they could play a key role in shaping the outcome behind closed doors.
For now, all eyes remain on the courtroom and on what may or may not be revealed in the texts between two of Hollywood’s most private friends.
