- Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the legal case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
- The case revolves around allegations of sexual harassment and defamation linked to their 2024 film ‘It Ends with Us.’
- Swift’s involvement is limited to licensing her song ‘My Tears Ricochet’ for the film.
- Swift’s spokesperson criticized the subpoena as a publicity tactic.
- The trial is scheduled for March 2026.
Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Case
Music superstar Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the ongoing legal dispute between actress Blake Lively and director-actor Justin Baldoni. The case stems from allegations of sexual harassment and defamation linked to the production of their 2024 film, It Ends with Us. Swift, a longtime friend of Lively, has been drawn into the legal battle despite her limited involvement with the film.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The legal battle began in December 2024 when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of It Ends with Us. The complaint was followed by a lawsuit that included allegations of a “social manipulation campaign” orchestrated by Baldoni to damage Lively’s reputation.
In January 2025, Baldoni countersued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation, seeking $400 million in damages. Baldoni alleged that Reynolds, who had no formal role in the film, made unauthorized script changes and publicly mocked him in the movie Deadpool & Wolverine. Reynolds has since filed a motion to dismiss the claims against him, labeling them as baseless.
Swift’s Role and Subpoena
Taylor Swift’s name surfaced in Baldoni’s countersuit, which included text messages where Lively allegedly referred to Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons,” a term inspired by the show Game of Thrones. Baldoni’s legal team argued that Lively leveraged her relationships with influential figures like Swift and Reynolds to undermine him.
Despite these claims, Swift’s involvement with the film was minimal. According to her spokesperson, Swift’s only connection to It Ends with Us was licensing her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the soundtrack. The spokesperson emphasized that Swift never visited the set, participated in casting or creative decisions, or saw the film prior to its public release.
In a statement, Swift’s representative criticized the subpoena as a publicity stunt, stating, “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.”
Reactions from Legal Teams
Lively’s legal team also condemned the subpoena, accusing Baldoni of turning a serious legal matter into a spectacle. “This is a very serious legal matter, not Barnum & Bailey’s Circus,” said a spokesperson for Lively. They further alleged that Baldoni and his team were attempting to intimidate and discredit women involved in the case.
Baldoni, through his attorney Bryan Freedman, has denied all allegations of misconduct. Freedman has stated that the legal actions against Baldoni are part of a broader attempt to tarnish his reputation and career.
Upcoming Trial
The case is set to go to trial in March 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with Judge Lewis Liman presiding. The trial is expected to combine Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and his countersuit against her and Reynolds.
As the legal proceedings continue, the inclusion of high-profile names like Taylor Swift has added another layer of complexity and public interest to the case. However, Swift’s team has made it clear that she intends to distance herself from the ongoing dispute.
*Source: CNN, Deadline, CBS News*