Hollywood’s legal dramas often involve big names, but a recent filing reveals an intense back-and-forth about bringing superstar Taylor Swift into a heated courtroom battle. Blake Lively is not holding back. Her legal team is pushing back hard against Justin Baldoni’s attempts to get Swift to testify in their ongoing lawsuit.
Baldoni’s team recently made waves by stating that Taylor Swift, 35, agreed to give a sworn statement. This news, which first came from a prominent entertainment news outlet, quickly added fuel to the fire. However, Lively, 38, and her lawyers see things differently.
In court papers filed on Friday, September 12, Lively’s team accused Baldoni, 41, and his people of repeatedly trying to pull Swift into their legal dispute. They claim this is all part of a "relentless media strategy" to grab headlines. Lively’s side also argued against giving Baldoni extra time to gather evidence. They feel he waited far too long to ask Swift to speak under oath.
Interestingly, reports surfaced on the same Friday that Baldoni’s team had been talking with Swift’s people. The pop star, however, isn’t free until late October. Lively’s legal team pointed out a big issue with Baldoni’s claim that Swift supposedly "agreed" to testify between October 20 and 25. That timeline, they noted, is about three weeks after the deadline for collecting evidence in the case.
Lively’s team further highlighted that Baldoni’s group reportedly only reached out to Swift’s camp earlier that very week. Even if Swift had agreed, the proposed date for her deposition would still be several weeks past the official cut-off for evidence in the lawsuit.
A Matter of Timing and Respect
Lively’s lawyer strongly criticized Baldoni’s team. They stated that the "lack of effort" and "disrespect for Swift’s privacy and schedule" was truly surprising. The evidence-gathering process has been going on for over six months. Swift’s calendar, as a global superstar, is booked solid many months in advance. Baldoni’s team could have asked for her testimony at any point during that six-month period. But they chose not to.
Lively also reminded the court that Baldoni’s lawyers had actually canceled a subpoena for Swift back in May. Now, without any clear reason, Wayfarer, the defendants, are asking the court to let them take this specific deposition. They want it more than three weeks after the evidence window closed. This is also ten days after the date set for both sides to share expert reports. All other witness dates and locations were already agreed upon.
Lively’s team further argued that Baldoni’s side hasn’t even explained why Swift’s testimony is needed. Such a reason is usually expected for any deposition happening after the evidence deadline, especially for someone not directly involved in the main case. It’s even more crucial for Swift, whom Baldoni’s team has, according to Lively’s legal team, "constantly tried to use to generate a media spectacle."
Given all these points, Lively is asking the court to simply deny Baldoni’s request.
Taylor Swift’s Side of the Story
Swift’s representative had already weighed in on May 9 when the pop star received a previous subpoena. They made it very clear that Swift "never stepped foot on the set of this movie." She had no part in casting or making creative choices. She did not compose the soundtrack, watch early versions of the film, or offer any feedback. In fact, she didn’t even see the movie, It Ends With Us, until weeks after its public release. Swift spent 2023 and 2024 traveling the globe, leading the biggest tour in history.
Her only connection to the film was allowing them to use her song, "My Tears Ricochet." Nineteen other artists did the same, licensing their music for the movie. Swift’s representative believes this subpoena is mainly to "use Taylor Swift’s name to get public attention." They feel it’s designed to create "sensational clickbait" rather than focus on the actual facts of the case.
The trial for this legal battle is currently scheduled for May 2026.