Blake Lively is facing backlash after allegations suggest she used her friendship with pop superstar Taylor Swift to pressure Justin Baldoni during the production of their film, It Ends with Us. Baldoni, who stars and directs the movie, publicly claimed through a website he launched to defend himself against Lively's sexual harassment allegations, accusing her of leveraging her relationship with Swift for personal gain.
According to Baldoni, Lively made what he termed a "veiled threat" involving Swift to secure more control over the film's editing. The actor alleged Lively told him she would withhold her approval of the movie's trailer if he did not agree to allow her extra time to work with her personal editor. This situation escalated when Lively supposedly hinted she would reconsider reaching out to Swift about using her song "My Tears Ricochet" from her 2020 album, folklore, for the trailer.
"Blake is calling Taylor to approve the song. She of course just reached out saying she is asking for time with [REDACTED] her editor," Baldoni shared, referencing correspondence with executors from Sony, the studio behind the film. Eventually, Lively's demands were reportedly met to avoid complications during the trailer's release, which was set just months before the film’s debut.
This explosive claim is not just about work ethics; it is also reflective of the deteriorated relationship at the heart of this drama. The timeline provided on Baldoni's website spans several years, showcasing how his camaraderie with Lively turned sour amid the pressures of producing and promoting the film.
Lively has been known for leveraging her connections, and it appears Baldoni alleged this strategy backfired, creating unnecessary tension not just between him and Lively but also implicading Swift, who seems to have been dragged unwillingly within this high-stakes dispute. A source revealed to DailyMail.com, "For the time being, she is taking a step back from Blake because she doesn’t want to get tangled in this more than she already has." The insider indicated Swift felt used as "an intimidation tactic" via Lively's messages.
Swift reportedly did not plan to attend meetings where these discussions took place, but found herself unwittingly entangled when she arrived at Lively's New York penthouse to find discussions about her song still underway. This unexpected situation has reportedly made the singer consciously back away from her friendship with Lively.
Another source added, "Taylor shouldn’t even be involved in this at all. She was only going over to visit Blake and Ryan with the overstanding the meeting would be over.” The nature of these events has strained the relationship, which has been closely knit for over ten years, with both women celebrating each other’s milestones and referring to each other’s families within their work.
Further complicity emerged from Lively’s seemingly cavalier reference to herself as "Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have dragons" during discussions with Baldoni. This dramatic statement drew sharp criticisms, with Swift's friends labeling Lively's remarks as "uncool and unnecessary." They highlighted how the comments could cast Swift and her reputation negatively, especially considering her high-profile status and the importance of her public image.
The friendship’s evident strain is underscored by the public nature of the legal dispute. Many have expressed concern over how Lively's actions may impact their longstanding friendship. While the fate of their relationship hangs in the balance, it remains clear this drama has spilled over to affect more than just the professional obligations tied to It Ends with Us.
Without any doubt, the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has taken its toll on several friendships, marking this as one of the more intense disputes within Hollywood's elite. Both sides are poised to address these allegations as they navigate their future careers amid the growing controversy.
With the legalities still looming, audiences and fans alike wonder what will happen next—will Lively and Swift reconcile their friendship, or will this bitter feud mark the end of their close relationship? Only time will tell as new revelations continue to surface within this highly publicized drama.