Bombshell Texts, Courtroom Clashes, and a Taylor Swift Twist: The Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Saga
In one of the most headline-grabbing Hollywood legal battles of 2025, the dispute between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken an explosive turn—bringing judge’s warnings, private text messages, and even Taylor Swift into the fray. Here’s how it all unfolds.
1. The Allegations That Lit the Fire
The dispute between Lively and Baldoni originated in December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and retaliating against her for speaking up—claims he staunchly denies. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and others for defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy. This countersuit, seeking $400 million, unfolded in the Southern District of New York in early 2025.
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2. Bombshell Letter: A Threat Involving Taylor Swift
In May 2025, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, submitted a letter to the court containing explosive allegations—claims tied to Taylor Swift. The letter stated, without naming sources, that Lively had allegedly threatened Swift with the release of their private text messages unless Swift publicly came out in support of Lively. It also claimed Lively demanded Swift delete those texts.
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However, Judge Lewis J. Liman swiftly struck the letter from the record on May 15, 2025, calling it “improper” and “irrelevant to any issue before this Court.” He warned Freedman against future misuses of the court docket and implied potential sanctions.
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3. The Swift Subpoena That Was—and Wasn’t
Shortly before or around this explosive letter, Baldoni’s team had issued a subpoena to Taylor Swift. The intention: to access her communications and possibly involve her testimony. Yet, by May 22, 2025, Baldoni officially withdrew the subpoena. Reports portrayed this as a calculated retreat after media and legal backlash. Lively’s spokesperson hailed the withdrawal as a win—and condemned it as a tactic to smear Swift and exploit her fame.
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Swift, meanwhile, was adamant she had no active role in the film beyond licensing one of her songs. Her team strongly denied any other involvement.
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4. The Judge’s Ruling on Access to Swift-Lively Texts
Despite the subpoena’s withdrawal, the judge addressed whether the underlying communications could still be discovered. On June 18, 2025, Judge Liman denied Lively’s motion for a protective order to bar access to her text messages with Swift. He ruled these communications were relevant to the litigation—particularly Lively’s harassment and retaliation allegations—and were thus discoverable. That said, the judge imposed a protective order, ensuring the texts couldn’t be leaked to the press.
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5. The Daily Mail Twist: Insider Revealed
Just as the drama seemed to settle in court, a new bombshell dropped: The Daily Mail reported that Taylor Swift’s father, Scott Swift, was the insider who allegedly revealed the purported “threat” from Lively. According to the report, this source told Baldoni’s team—leading to the initial letter that was later stricken.
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The revelation added an emotional layer: a family member, rather than a neutral observer, may have been the leaker—escalating the personal stakes of an already sensitive legal dispute.
6. Legal Fallout and Celebrity Fallout
These developments have had consequences beyond the courtroom:
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Strained Friendships: Reports suggest that Swift and Lively’s once-close friendship may be fractured. Swift has reportedly been “ignoring” Lively’s attempts to reach out and messages, while even Travis Kelce, Swift’s partner, unfollowed Ryan Reynolds amid the fallout.
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Pending Trial: Despite dismissing Baldoni’s countersuit on June 9, 2025, Judge Liman kept Lively’s original lawsuit alive. The case is headed to trial in March 2026.
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7. What’s Next?
With the June ruling, Baldoni’s legal team may now access communications between Lively and Swift—subject to strict confidentiality. Whether those texts provide insight into Lively’s claims—or reinvigorate Baldoni’s countersuit—is yet to be seen.
Meanwhile, if the friendship between Lively and Swift is indeed damaged, it highlights a rare crossroads of celebrity, legal strategy, and personal betrayal.
Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Key Event |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | Lively sues Baldoni for alleged harassment; Baldoni countersues. People.com+9Wikipedia+9Yahoo+9People.com |
| May 14, 2025 | Baldoni’s lawyer alleges Lively threatened Swift—letter filed. The News InternationalPeople.comWikipedia |
| May 15, 2025 | Judge Liman strikes the letter. Just JaredPeople.com |
| May 22, 2025 | Baldoni withdraws Swift subpoena. People.com |
| June 9, 2025 | Judge dismisses Baldoni’s countersuit; Lively’s claims remain. People.comWikipedia |
| June 18, 2025 | Lively’s motion fails; texts with Swift are discoverable under protective order. TheWrapPeople.comPhilstar LifeMandatory |
| May 2025 | Daily Mail reports Scott Swift was the insider. Page Six |
| March 2026 | The combined trial for Lively’s case is set. People.comWikipedia |
In Closing
The case of Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni is not just a courtroom confrontation; it’s become a high-profile drama involving personal relationships, celebrity legacies, and media maneuvers. From the bombshell letter to the judge’s no-nonsense strike, to the revelation of Scott Swift’s alleged role as source, this legal saga continues to capture global attention.
As we approach the March 2026 trial, the real question is: Will private communications alter the public narrative—and what will that mean for all parties involved?
