Taylor Swift’s name is back in the headlines—and not because of a tour, an album drop, or a cryptic Instagram caption. This time, she’s been pulled into the center of the increasingly chaotic legal war between It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni and star Blake Lively, as a federal judge ruled that Baldoni’s legal team can access private text messages between the two longtime friends.
Yes, the actual messages. About the film. From Taylor. To Blake.
What the Judge Told Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Taylor Swift
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the messages are fair game—but only those that specifically involve the film, the lawsuit, or Baldoni. So no, this isn’t an all-access pass to their group chat about brunch, boyfriends, or Eras Tour outfits.
The judge said the texts are “reasonably tailored” to uncover details that might support or challenge Lively’s harassment and retaliation claims against Baldoni. In other words: if Taylor had thoughts about how things went down on set, those thoughts now legally matter.
See also: Serena Would Be Proud: Blake Lively Speaks Out After Partial Legal Win Against Justin Baldoni
Enter the Dragons
If this sounds extra—it gets better. Baldoni’s team claims Lively used Swift (and husband Ryan Reynolds) as “dragons” to intimidate him during tense creative disagreements. He says he was invited to their home for a “script discussion” where “a famously close friend” (that’s Swift) was present. He also says Lively explicitly texted that Swift and Reynolds were her personal enforcers.
“The message could not have been clearer,” Baldoni’s lawyer wrote in court. “He wasn’t just dealing with Lively—he was dealing with her dragons.”
Honestly? Not the worst nickname.
The Soap Opera So Far
-
In December 2024, Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and professional retaliation on the set of It Ends With Us.
-
Baldoni hit back with a $400 million countersuit claiming defamation and conspiracy. That lawsuit has since been dismissed.
-
Swift was first pulled into the drama when Baldoni alleged Lively used her influence to get script changes and control over production.
-
In May, Swift was subpoenaed to testify—but the request was quietly dropped.
-
Now, despite Lively’s legal efforts to shield her, Swift’s relevant texts must be handed over under a protective order.
So far, no public comment from Swift, Lively, or Reynolds. And we don’t expect one.
See also: Justin Baldoni Loses Major Round Against Blake Lively Over Dismissed Lawsuit
And the Fallout?
Insiders say the real heartbreak here isn’t cinematic—it’s personal. According to Page Six sources, Swift is “forever furious” at Lively for dragging her into the mess. The two have been tight for over a decade, but sources claim there’s now “distance” between them.
In Hollywood, friendship is often PR gold. But when the lawsuits start flying and the group chat becomes a legal exhibit, even the strongest alliances can turn complicated fast.
