Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed as part of an escalating legal battle involving actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni. The dispute, centered on the production of the 2024 film It Ends With Us, has already drawn widespread attention, and Swift’s name has now surfaced as part of the ongoing litigation.
The Background: A Film, a Friendship, and a Lawsuit
The legal saga began when Lively filed a complaint in December 2024 with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and professional retaliation during their work on It Ends With Us. This was followed by a formal lawsuit shortly after. Lively also alleged that Baldoni, with help from his PR team, intentionally tried to damage her public image during the film’s promotion.
Baldoni has denied all allegations. In response, he launched a $400 million defamation countersuit in January 2025 against both Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. The countersuit claims the couple deliberately sabotaged his film and career.
Why Taylor Swift Is Now Involved
Although Swift had no official role in the production, her name surfaced in text messages submitted as evidence in Baldoni’s lawsuit. One message from Baldoni to Lively read, “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot… And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor,” followed by a wink emoji. The context suggests Swift was mentioned casually, likely in reference to mutual friendships or associations.
Still, this mention led to a subpoena requesting information about Swift’s involvement.
A spokesperson for Swift responded firmly, stating, “Taylor Swift never visited the film set, had no input on casting or creative decisions, and was not part of the post-production process. She did not view the film until weeks after its public release.”
The spokesperson added that Swift’s only link to the project was licensing her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the soundtrack—just one of 20 artists who did so. They suggested the subpoena was a publicity move: “This appears to be an attempt to use Taylor’s name for tabloid attention rather than to focus on the core issues of the case.”
Baldoni vs. Reynolds: Additional Claims
In the defamation lawsuit, Baldoni also targets Ryan Reynolds, claiming he interfered with the project by rewriting scenes and altering the script without permission, despite not having a formal role in the production. The suit alleges Reynolds later mocked Baldoni through a character named “Nicepool” in Deadpool & Wolverine, implying it was a form of public ridicule.
Reynolds’ legal team has filed a motion to have him removed from the lawsuit, arguing that Baldoni’s accusations are speculative and rooted in personal grievances rather than legal grounds.
Legal and Public Fallout
Representatives for Lively have criticized Baldoni’s legal strategy, saying he’s trying to turn a serious civil rights case into a media spectacle. “This isn’t showbiz,” a spokesperson commented. “This is about accountability, not headlines.”
The case is currently moving toward trial, which has been scheduled for March 2026.
Leave a Reply