Kaylah Walton
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A recent legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has escalated, particularly regarding Lively‘s representatives who have strongly criticized Baldoni‘s choice to involve Taylor Swift in their case.
A spokesperson for Lively condemned Baldoni, his business partner Steve Sarowitz, and their legal team for turning the courtroom into a media spectacle instead of focusing on the legitimate issues at stake.
This disagreement intensified after Baldoni‘s team issued a subpoena to Swift, who is a close associate of Lively. The subpoena appears to be part of Baldoni‘s broader $400 million countersuit against Lively, who previously accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation linked to their work on ‘It Ends With Us.’
Lively’s representative also criticized Baldoni‘s attorney for suggesting that Lively could testify at Madison Square Garden, calling the notion both sensational and inappropriate for a serious legal matter.
“This is not a circus,” the spokesperson emphasized, stating that the dispute revolves around serious allegations of harassment and abuse of power, not publicity stunts.
Attention on Swift amidst rising tensions
Although Taylor Swift is not directly connected to the creation of ‘It Ends With Us’, her name has been repeatedly mentioned in the legal proceedings. Baldoni‘s court documents reference a message from Lively where she referred to Swift and her spouse Ryan Reynolds as her personal “dragons”—a term that Baldoni‘s team interpreted as a signal of her formidable backing.
In response, Swift’s representatives swiftly denied any implication that she had participated in the film, clarifying that Swift was not involved in the set, offered no creative input, did not score the film, and only watched it weeks after its official release.
They also criticized the subpoena as an attempt to generate publicity rather than to seek justice.
This situation has reportedly caused strain in personal connections as well. Reports indicate that Swift‘s boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, has unfollowed Reynolds on social media, reflecting possible tension between the celebrity couples.
The essence of the legal dispute centers on Lively‘s accusations that Baldoni acted inappropriately during filming, including incidents such as entering her personal space while she was breastfeeding and making inappropriate comments, contributing to a hostile environment for other actresses. Baldoni has countered these claims, filing a countersuit alleging defamation and extortion.
Lively’s side contends that the defense’s behavior exceeds typical courtroom tactics and represents a broader attack on women’s rights. They pointed out Baldoni’s challenge against a California law meant to safeguard harassment victims as evidence of concerning behavior.
As both sides prepare for a trial scheduled for March 2026, the case continues to captivate public interest—not only due to the high-profile personalities involved but also because of the serious issues surrounding workplace conduct, gender dynamics, and the exploitation of celebrity status in legal matters.
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