Taylor Swift is reportedly taking a step back from her friendship with Blake Lively amid rising tensions stemming from involvement in Justin Baldoni's contentious lawsuit. The emotional strain surrounding their once-close bond became evident after allegations suggested Lively had used Swift to exert pressure during negotiations related to the $400 million lawsuit Baldoni filed against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
According to multiple sources, the friction stems from Baldoni's claims during legal proceedings, wherein he recounted how Swift's presence at meetings made him feel obligated to comply with Lively's demands. "I needed to comply with Blake's direction for the script," Baldoni stated, indicating the precarity of the situation where he felt overshadowed by Swift's involvement.
The legal turmoil began earlier this month when Baldoni, who directed the romantic drama It Ends with Us, took action against Lively over allegations of unwanted touching and for fostering what he describes as a toxic work environment. Incidentally, Swift’s involvement was mentioned as Lively employed her friendship with the pop star to intensify pressure on Baldoni during meetings concerning script edits.
Insiders reported Swift’s discontent with the situation. A source revealed, "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 – which is far more than she ever needed to be," highlighting Swift's desire to detach from the heated fallout. According to the Daily Mail, Swift’s own friendships have urged her to distance herself from Lively as they felt the rhetoric used – likening herself to 'Khaleesi' from Game of Thrones – was both "uncool and unnecessary."
Lively reportedly texted Baldoni, referring to herself as Khaleesi and invoking the image of Swift and Reynolds as her "dragons," which evidently unsettled Swift. “Her friends think Blake’s ‘I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have dragons’ text to Justin was unnecessary because she was effectively used as intimidation,” another insider disclosed.
The friendship between Swift and Lively, celebrated for nearly a decade, was previously marked by shared milestones and emotional support. Over the years, Swift has often included shout-outs to Lively's children within her music and attended various events, showing solidarity. Just last October, the duo enjoyed a double date with Reynolds and Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, indicating their closeness prior to the turmoil.
While speculation has suggested the two stars are drifting apart, another source close to Swift insisted these rumors were largely unfounded. The source stressed, "Taylor and Blake are still friends, and any claims about distance due to Baldoni's lawsuit are exaggerated; their bond continues to endure. Taylor has always been there for Blake, including when the latter faced public scrutiny over the film’s marketing."
Singer-songwriter Swift has historically supported Lively through various controversies, including the backlash Lively faced after the film’s release over perceived tone-deaf comments related to domestic violence issues. Such support painted their friendship as one deeply interwoven, rather than one likely to fray amid external challenges.
The legal battle surrounding It Ends With Us remains heated and complex. While Lively has cited Baldoni for multiple claims, the counter-suit involves dire allegations and accusations, including accusations of conspiracy aimed at damaging Baldoni's reputation alongside claims he orchestrated campaigns against Lively. This powder keg scenario inevitably caught Swift, who contributed a song to the film’s soundtrack, My Tears Ricochet, up within the fray.
Despite the challenges, sources maintain the belief in the strength of their friendship. Acknowledging their history, one source expressed hope, stating, "Swift and Lively understand the intensity of this moment, but they will see beyond it. Their friendship predates this drama and is based on mutual respect and love."
Both stars continue to face media scrutiny as the lawsuit plays out, but the narrative of their friendship remains central to the public’s perception of them. A decade of camaraderie, punctuated with genuine affection and support, gives reason to believe the bond will withstand these stormy conditions.
Overall, as Taylor Swift takes temporary steps back to safeguard her image and avoid negativity, fans are left to hope this tumultuous period is merely a bump in the road for two of Hollywood’s closest friends.