Recent developments in the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from their work on the film It Ends With Us, have drawn attention to claims involving pop star Taylor Swift. On May 14, 2025, reports emerged alleging that Lively attempted to pressure Swift into publicly supporting her in the lawsuit against Baldoni. These allegations, primarily raised by Baldoni’s legal team, have sparked significant media interest but remain unverified and contested.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The conflict originated in December 2024, when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in It Ends With Us. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and claimed he orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against her after she raised concerns. Baldoni denied these allegations and filed a $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging they engaged in defamation and undermined his reputation. The trial is scheduled for March 2026 in New York.
Allegations Against Blake Lively
On May 14, 2025, Baldoni’s legal team, led by attorney Bryan Freedman, filed a court letter claiming that Lively urged Taylor Swift to delete personal text messages and demanded that Swift publicly issue a statement supporting Lively’s side in the lawsuit. According to the filing, Lively’s attorney, Michael Gottlieb, allegedly threatened to release private text messages between Lively and Swift if Swift did not comply. Baldoni’s lawyers stated that their subpoena of Swift seeks to obtain these communications, which they argue would demonstrate Lively’s attempts to intimidate and coerce witnesses. The claims cite an anonymous source described as “highly likely to have reliable information.”
These allegations were reported by multiple outlets, including Us Weekly, People, and The Hollywood Reporter, and amplified by posts on X, where users described Lively’s alleged actions as “witness tampering” and “extortion.”
🚨WE NOW KNOW WHY WAYFARER HAVE SUBPOENAED TAYLOR SWIFT – BLAKE LIVELY TRIED TO THREATEN HER!!!🚨
— Leanne Newton (@kiarajade2001) May 14, 2025
Freedman has written to Judge Liman with the reasons they have subpoenaed Venable LLP and the frantic behaviour from the Lively Parties now makes sense!
1. They have information… pic.twitter.com/huKRgcd90I
Responses from Lively and Swift’s Teams
Lively’s legal team, represented by Michael Gottlieb, categorically denied the accusations, calling them “categorically false” and “completely untethered from reality.” Gottlieb described the claims as relying on “cowardly sourced” anonymous information and emphasized that no evidence supports the allegations.
Taylor Swift’s legal team, represented by the law firm Venable, also responded, seeking to quash Baldoni’s subpoena. They labeled the subpoena an “abuse of the discovery process” and a “fishing expedition,” arguing that Swift had no involvement in the production or casting of It Ends With Us. Swift’s representatives further stated that her only connection to the film was licensing her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the trailer, a contribution shared by 19 other artists. They accused Baldoni’s team of using Swift’s name to generate “tabloid clickbait” rather than focusing on the case’s facts.
Context of Swift’s Involvement
Swift’s name surfaced in the lawsuit earlier in 2025, when Baldoni’s countersuit included text messages allegedly sent by Lively. In one message, Lively reportedly referred to Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons,” likening herself to the Game of Thrones character Khaleesi. Baldoni claimed that Lively used her friendship with Swift to influence script changes for It Ends With Us, including a meeting at Lively and Reynolds’ New York penthouse where Swift was present. Swift’s team has denied any significant involvement, and Lively’s representatives have echoed this, emphasizing that Swift’s role was limited to the song licensing.
Additionally, actress Isabella Ferrer, who played a younger version of Lively’s character in the film, claimed in an August 2024 interview that Swift was involved in her casting. Swift’s representatives contradicted this, asserting that she had no role in casting decisions.
Current Status and Public Reaction
The allegations of blackmail have intensified public and media scrutiny of the Lively-Baldoni dispute. Swift, who has been subpoenaed to testify in the trial, has reportedly distanced herself from Lively, with sources claiming she feels “exploited” by the use of her name in the lawsuit. However, a source also noted that Lively apologized to Swift, and the two have spoken to address the issue.
On X, posts have circulated widely, with some users condemning Lively for allegedly attempting to coerce Swift, while others question the validity of Baldoni’s claims, given the reliance on an anonymous source. The polarized reactions highlight the contentious nature of the case and the high-profile involvement of Swift.
Final Thoughts
The allegations that Blake Lively attempted to blackmail Taylor Swift over text messages-dot-com articles and posts on X remain unverified and heavily disputed. Both Lively’s and Swift’s legal teams have firmly denied the claims, and no concrete evidence of the alleged threats has been made public. As the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni continues, the involvement of Swift has amplified media attention, but her representatives maintain that her role in It Ends With Us was minimal. The trial, set for March 2026, may provide further clarity, but for now, the allegations remain part of a complex and ongoing legal dispute with significant public interest.
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