In a saga that’s fast becoming one of Hollywood’s most heated legal dramas, actor Justin Baldoni has gained critical ground in his ongoing court battle with Blake Lively — and it’s pulled global pop icon Taylor Swift further into the spotlight. What began as a dispute on the set of It Ends With Us has now spiraled into a multi-layered controversy involving sexual harassment claims, defamation lawsuits, media leaks, and fractured friendships.
Judge grants Baldoni access to Swift-Lively texts
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled this week that Baldoni’s legal team will be granted access to personal communications between Lively and Swift — messages that could be pivotal in determining the credibility of Lively’s harassment and retaliation claims. The decision came despite Lively’s effort to block access to these exchanges, citing privacy concerns.
“Given that Lively has represented that Swift had knowledge of complaints or discussions about the working environment on the film, among other issues, the requests for messages with Taylor Swift regarding the film and this action are reasonably tailored,” wrote Judge Liman in the official ruling.
This legal maneuver is part of Justin Baldoni’s defense against Blake Lively’s lawsuit, which alleges that the Jane the Virgin star subjected her to repeated sexual harassment and launched a smear campaign after a tense meeting involving her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Justin Baldoni's Countersuit: Defamation and creative disputes
In response to Lively's allegations, Baldoni filed a countersuit accusing Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times of defamation and extortion. However, the court dismissed portions of that claim, including the libel charge against Lively, citing that legal complaints are protected from defamation suits. Justin Baldoni's allegations that Lively hijacked creative control of the film were also struck down — although the actor retains the right to amend and refile the lawsuit under different claims.
Meanwhile, The New York Times was cleared after the court found no evidence of actual malice in its report titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.”
Fallout for Blake Lively and Taylor Swift's friendship
Beyond the legal ramifications, the case appears to have severely damaged Blake Lively’s relationship with Taylor Swift. Sources close to the situation revealed that Swift has since distanced herself, deeply upset over being entangled in the legal chaos.
“Right now, if Taylor had one wish, it would be that she never met Blake,” a source told Daily Mail. “She’s furious about how Blake used her for clout and leverage.”
Taylor Swift's inner circle appears to be echoing her sentiments. NFL star and Swift’s partner Travis Kelce has reportedly unfollowed Reynolds on Instagram — signaling a clear fracture in the once-close friendship between the couples.
Adding to the tension, Justin Baldoni claimed that Swift was referred to by Lively as one of her “dragons” — a label the Grammy-winning artist reportedly found manipulative and demeaning.
Swift’s team responds
Swift’s legal team has pushed back on the notion that she had any significant involvement in the production of It Ends With Us, other than granting the use of her song My Tears Ricochet in the trailer and a single scene.
“Taylor never set foot on the set of this movie… she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes,” her representative told Fox News. “She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release.”
The road ahead
As the trial is scheduled to begin in 2026, the legal and personal fallout continues to unfold in public view. Whether the messages between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively hold the key to either side’s case remains to be seen. What’s certain, however, is that this drama has officially blurred the lines between Hollywood fiction and real-life fallout.