Taylor Swift has been pulled into the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, as she was recently subpoenaed to testify in the case. Swift's involvement centers around her song "My Tears Ricochet," which was licensed for the film "It Ends With Us," but her spokesperson has emphasized that she had no active role in the film's production.
The subpoena, issued by Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman, has sparked significant media attention. Swift's spokesperson stated on May 9, 2025, that the pop star "never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see 'It Ends With Us' until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history." This statement underscores Swift's minimal involvement in the film beyond the licensing of her song, which was also used by 19 other artists.
Blake Lively's representatives have criticized the subpoena as an attempt to sensationalize the serious allegations at the heart of the legal dispute. They claimed that Baldoni's legal team is turning a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids. In a statement, Lively's spokesperson remarked, "Mr. Baldoni, Mr. Sarowitz, and team continue to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids, going as far as suggesting that they sell tickets to a concert venue - Madison Square Garden - to witness Ms. Lively’s deposition, to subpoenaing Taylor Swift, a woman who has given a voice to millions the world over." They emphasized that this is a very serious legal matter and not a circus.
The legal feud between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the film, which he also directed. Baldoni has denied the allegations, with Freedman labeling Lively's claims as "shameful" and "categorically false." In response, Baldoni filed a countersuit against Lively, seeking $400 million for defamation and extortion.
The drama intensified when Baldoni's legal team alleged that Lively leveraged her relationship with high-profile friends, including Swift and her husband Ryan Reynolds, to exert influence over the film's production. According to Baldoni's lawsuit, he received a text message from Lively in which she referred to Swift and Reynolds as her "dragons," suggesting their protective roles in her life.
As the case evolves, the involvement of Swift, one of the most famous figures in the entertainment industry, adds another layer of complexity. The trial is set to begin on March 9, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with Judge Lewis Liman presiding. The stakes are high, with both parties seeking to clear their names amid a flurry of public interest.
In the lead-up to the trial, Lively filed an amended version of her lawsuit in February 2025, while Reynolds filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's complaint against him. Lively subsequently filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's countersuit against her. The intertwined legal actions highlight the contentious nature of the dispute, which has drawn significant media scrutiny.
Swift's spokesperson further criticized the subpoena, stating, "Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case." This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the potential exploitation of celebrity names in legal matters, especially in cases involving serious allegations like those between Lively and Baldoni.
As the trial date approaches, the legal strategies employed by both sides will be closely watched. The court's decisions could have significant implications not only for the parties involved but also for the broader entertainment industry, particularly regarding how allegations of misconduct are handled in the public eye.
In the midst of this legal turmoil, Lively and Baldoni's ongoing battle raises questions about accountability, the treatment of women in Hollywood, and the impact of celebrity culture on serious legal matters. As more details emerge, the public remains eager to see how this high-profile case unfolds and what it means for those involved.
