Justin Baldoni Gains Legal Access to Private Texts Between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively

The legal showdown surrounding the film It Ends With Us just got a whole lot messier.

In a courtroom twist that sounds straight out of a Hollywood script, actress Blake Lively’s attempt to shield her private conversations with pop icon Taylor Swift from scrutiny has been denied.

A federal judge ruled that these messages could hold relevance in the high-profile legal dispute between Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni, and now they’re fair game.

Let’s break down the latest developments in this ongoing case and how Taylor Swift, despite having no direct involvement in the film, has found herself drawn into the controversy.

Judge Rules in Favor of Baldoni’s Request

On Wednesday, US District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Justin Baldoni’s legal team can access private messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, but only those specifically related to the 2024 movie It Ends With Us or the legal dispute itself.

According to court documents, the judge found the request “reasonably tailored” and relevant to the ongoing allegations. Since Lively reportedly stated that Swift had knowledge of complaints or discussions about the film’s working environment, her texts with the Lover singer are now considered potential evidence.

Still, there’s a safeguard. Judge Liman emphasized that the messages will be protected under a pre-existing confidentiality agreement to prevent them from leaking to the public.

Lively Tried to Cut a Deal, But Baldoni Said No

In an effort to maintain her and Swift’s privacy, Lively offered to hand over every document related to the case, except her messages with Swift, in exchange for Baldoni turning over full, unedited communication and behind-the-scenes footage from the film.

But Baldoni’s team declined the offer.

A spokesperson for Lively responded with a pointed statement, saying: “The Court outright denied the Wayfarer Parties’ motion to compel documents from Ms. Lively, who has produced far more documents in this case than the Wayfarer Parties combined.”

The spokesperson added: “Baldoni’s desire to drag Taylor Swift into this has been constant… We will continue to call out Baldoni’s relentless efforts to exploit Ms. Swift’s popularity, which from day one has been nothing more than a distraction from the serious sexual harassment and retaliation accusations he and the Wayfarer parties are facing.”

Swift’s Subpoena Was Dropped, But Her Name Keeps Coming Up

Taylor Swift was briefly subpoenaed by Baldoni’s team in May 2025. However, they withdrew the subpoena shortly afterward, following a firm statement from her representatives.

“Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie… she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions… she did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release,” her rep clarified, distancing her from the legal mess.

Yet her name continues to surface in court documents. Baldoni accused Lively of calling Swift and Ryan Reynolds her “dragons” in a text exchange, even likening herself to Game of Thrones‘ Khaleesi. He also claimed Swift attended a pivotal meeting at Lively’s NYC penthouse regarding a rewrite of the film’s rooftop scene.

Anonymous Claims and More Courtroom Drama

In another dramatic move, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman submitted a letter to the court, allegedly based on information from an anonymous source.

The claim? That Lively’s lead lawyer, Michael Gottlieb, threatened to leak Swift’s texts unless she publicly supported Lively.

Gottlieb denied the allegations outright, and Judge Liman struck the letter from the record, labeling it “improper” and “irrelevant.”

What’s Happening with Taylor and Blake’s Friendship?

Though the courtroom battles rage on, the real-life fallout is taking a personal toll, especially on the once-close friendship between Lively and Swift.

According to a Daily Mail source, “Even though Taylor has totally cut ties with her, Blake hasn’t with Taylor.” The source claimed that Swift feels “betrayed” and “exploited” by Lively and has started to distance herself from the actress.

Given that Swift is the godmother of Lively and Reynolds’ three daughters, this alleged rift is particularly painful.

How It All Started

The legal trouble began in December 2024 when Lively sued Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us. She also alleged he led a smear campaign against her and inflicted emotional distress.

Baldoni denied all claims and countered with a $400 million lawsuit in January 2025, accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation and extortion. He later followed up with a separate $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.

Both of Baldoni’s lawsuits were dismissed earlier this month, but the central legal case is still active and headed to trial in March 2026.

What Happens Next?

With the court ruling that Lively’s messages with Swift can be reviewed by Baldoni’s team, more revelations could surface in the coming months.

And while Swift has been largely uninvolved from a legal standpoint, her name continues to hover over the proceedings like a cloud of media attention.

What began as a legal dispute over a film adaptation has now spiraled into a tangled web involving major celebrities, private messages, and the unraveling of long-time friendships.

It’s clear that It Ends With Us won’t be ending anytime soon, at least, not in the courtroom.

TL;DR

• The judge ruled that Justin Baldoni can access Blake Lively’s messages with Taylor Swift related to It Ends With Us.
• Messages must remain confidential under a protective order.
• Lively tried to exclude Swift’s texts in a trade-off deal, but Baldoni refused.
• Taylor Swift was subpoenaed, then dropped from the case, but remains entangled via text references and accusations.
• Lively and Swift’s friendship has reportedly cooled amid the legal turmoil.
• The trial is set for March 2026.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.