Blake Lively failed: Taylor Swift’s messages must be passed on to Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively Loses Legal Bid: Judge Rules Taylor Swift’s Private Texts Must Be Handed Over to Justin Baldoni

In a significant legal development that is sending ripples through Hollywood and the entertainment press, actress Blake Lively (37) has been ordered by a federal judge to hand over her private text messages with Taylor Swift (35) to actor-director Justin Baldoni (41) and his legal team. This ruling comes amid the heated and high-profile legal feud between Lively and Baldoni, her co-star and director in the upcoming film It Ends With Us.

Lively, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, had requested a protective order to block Baldoni’s access to her communications with Swift. Her argument was rooted in a desire to protect personal and private exchanges that she believed were irrelevant to the case. However, on Wednesday, Judge Lewis J. Liman denied that request, asserting that the messages could be material to the trial.

The Case So Far: Lively vs. Baldoni

The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni began with serious allegations. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation during the filming of It Ends With Us, a romantic drama adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. She also alleged that Baldoni and his team engaged in a smear campaign to discredit her publicly after she spoke out.

In response, Baldoni filed a countersuit in January 2025, claiming defamation and civil extortion, asserting that Lively’s accusations were not only false but part of a broader effort to sabotage his career and reputation.

Since then, the case has evolved into a high-stakes, emotionally charged legal showdown with A-list names, reputational risks, and deeply personal evidence at the center of the conflict.

Enter Taylor Swift

Though Taylor Swift is not a party to the lawsuit, her name emerged prominently when it was revealed that she had exchanged a series of text messages with Lively during the period in question. The two have long been seen as close friends, and Swift even allowed her song to be licensed for It Ends With Us—the only known connection between her and the film.

Blake Lively’s legal team had maintained that these messages were private, personal, and irrelevant to the issues at hand. However, Baldoni’s defense argued that the content of those messages could indicate Lively’s state of mind, potential motives, and whether there was a coordinated effort to damage Baldoni’s reputation beyond the scope of the film set.

According to newly unsealed court documents obtained by People Magazine, the judge agreed with Baldoni’s camp.

“Given that Lively has represented that Swift had knowledge of complaints or discussions about the working environment on the film, among other issues, the requests for messages with Swift regarding the film and this action are reasonably tailored to discover information that would prove or disprove Lively’s harassment and retaliation claims,” Judge Liman wrote.

A Major Legal Blow for Lively

This ruling represents a serious setback for Lively’s legal strategy. By denying the protective order, the judge is effectively opening the door for the opposing side to examine potentially sensitive, even incriminating, private conversations between Lively and one of the world’s biggest pop stars.

The public revelation of this decision has already begun stirring speculation across media platforms. Legal experts say the ruling could reshape the trial, depending on what the messages contain — or fail to contain.

“It’s not about Taylor Swift per se,” said legal analyst Marianne Jacobs. “It’s about what Blake Lively may have said to her regarding the accusations, the production, and Baldoni’s behavior. The court sees potential relevance, and that’s all it takes.”

What This Means for Taylor Swift

Though the original subpoena for Taylor Swift and her attorneys was withdrawn, Swift’s involvement remains an uncomfortable public footnote. Her team has consistently maintained that she had nothing to do with the production, beyond licensing a song and attending a promotional event post-release.

In a previous statement, Swift’s spokesperson insisted:

“Ms. Swift was not involved in the making of the film beyond the music license. She did not witness any events relevant to the litigation and has no firsthand knowledge of any allegations made by either party.”

Still, with the messages being turned over, Swift may soon find her private words scrutinized and potentially presented in court — a scenario that could bring unwanted attention to her inner circle and her long-standing friendship with Lively.

Hollywood Reacts: Fallout Begins

In an industry where loyalty, image, and reputation are everything, insiders say the judge’s decision is already creating tension. According to one studio executive familiar with the case:

“There’s concern this will start a trend where private celebrity communications become fair game in lawsuits. Everyone’s watching this one very closely.”

Some of Lively’s supporters worry that her efforts to speak out about workplace issues are being overshadowed by procedural rulings like this one. Others argue that if Lively did nothing wrong, she should have nothing to hide in the messages.

Meanwhile, Baldoni’s camp sees this as a major legal victory that bolsters his defense and undermines the credibility of Lively’s claims.

Looking Ahead: Trial and Public Opinion

As of now, the trial is tentatively scheduled for March 9, 2026. The court has moved to consolidate both lawsuits — Lively’s harassment claim and Baldoni’s defamation countersuit — into one joint proceeding.

The ruling regarding Swift’s texts may only be the beginning of more public revelations, potentially involving other celebrities, producers, or industry figures connected to the film or the lawsuit.

Blake Lively has not made a public statement regarding the ruling. Her legal team is expected to comply with the court’s order by next month, though they could still attempt an appeal or seek a narrower scope of review for the texts.

As the legal drama unfolds, one thing is clear: the lines between Hollywood glamour, personal loyalty, and legal warfare have never been more blurred.

And the world is watching.