Revealed: Why Taylor Swift was excluded from Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni deposition

The legal battle between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a dramatic turn, but pop icon Taylor Swift will not be a part of the proceedings. A U.S. District Court judge ruled against efforts to include her deposition, closing months of speculation about her involvement.

Judge rejects extension for Swift’s testimony

On Friday, September 12, Judge Lewis J. Liman denied a motion to extend the discovery deadline for Swift’s testimony. The decision brought an end to attempts by Baldoni’s legal team to secure her deposition in the ongoing case. The judge found the request lacked the appropriate diligence, making it clear that Swift would remain outside of the dispute.

Background of the legal dispute

The case began when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign. Baldoni strongly denied the allegations and responded with a countersuit.

As the case escalated, Baldoni’s lawyers sought to involve Taylor Swift, claiming she was present at a crucial meeting at Lively’s home. They described her as one of Lively’s supporters during script discussions for It Ends With Us.

Attempts to subpoena Swift’s messages

Baldoni’s legal team went further by attempting to subpoena Swift’s private text messages with Lively. They argued the conversations could shed light on the film’s on-set environment. Swift’s representatives, however, dismissed the effort, calling it “tabloid fodder” and insisting that the singer had no material connection to the case.

Her legal team also clarified that Taylor Swift had never voluntarily agreed to provide a deposition. She would only comply if compelled by a formal court order.

Why the Court Blocked Taylor Swift’s Involvement

Baldoni’s attorneys argued that Swift’s busy tour schedule made her unavailable until late October and requested a 30-day extension to accommodate her. However, Judge Liman ruled that her schedule was not a valid reason to delay the case. The September 30 discovery deadline remains in place, effectively shielding Swift from being dragged into the proceedings.

Outcome and impact

The court’s ruling reinforces that Taylor Swift has no material role in the outcome of this legal battle. Instead, the focus remains squarely on the claims and counterclaims between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. For Taylor Swift, the decision removes her from the highly publicized dispute, ensuring that her name will not be further entangled in the legal back-and-forth.