A judge has decided that Justin Baldoni can legally obtain private messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift related to their movie It Ends With Us. The ruling comes as part of Baldoni’s ongoing legal battle with Lively over claims of s**xual harassment and workplace issues on set.
Lively tried to block Baldoni from seeing her texts with Swift, arguing they were irrelevant. But the judge disagreed, saying the messages could help prove or disprove her claims. The texts must only be about the movie or the legal case, not personal chats.
This decision is a win for Baldoni, who has been fighting Lively in court since December 2024. Earlier this month, his $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist was dismissed.
Why the Judge Allowed Access to the Texts
Judge Lewis Liman ruled that since Lively herself said Swift knew about discussions on the movie’s work environment, the messages could be important.
“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,” the judge wrote.
Lively’s legal team argued that Baldoni was only after Swift’s texts for publicity. But the judge said that didn’t justify blocking access if the messages could be relevant to the case.
What Happened Before the Ruling
Baldoni’s team first tried to get the messages directly from Swift by sending her a subpoena in May. But Swift’s lawyers fought back, calling it an unnecessary “fishing expedition.” The subpoena was later dropped.
Lively’s lawyers then asked the court to stop Baldoni from getting the texts through the normal legal process. They offered to give other documents instead, but Baldoni’s team refused.
Swift’s spokesperson previously said she had no involvement in the movie’s production, except for lending her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the soundtrack.
The Legal Battle Between Lively and Baldoni
Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of s**xual harassment and running a secret campaign to ruin her reputation. Baldoni denied the claims and countersued, but his defamation case was thrown out earlier in June.
Baldoni’s legal team has claimed that Lively used her famous friends, including Swift and Reynolds, to pressure him during film discussions. In court filings, they referenced texts where Lively allegedly called Swift and Reynolds her “dragons”—a term from Game of Thrones meaning protectors.
Lively’s side denies this, saying Baldoni is just trying to drag Swift into the case for attention.
What Happens Next?
The case is set for trial in March 2026. For now, Baldoni’s lawyers can review the messages between Lively and Swift, but they cannot leak them to the press due to a protective order.
Lively’s team says they will keep fighting Baldoni’s efforts to involve Swift.
“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 sxual harassment and retaliation accusations he and the Wayfarer parties are facing,” a spokesperson for Lively said.
Meanwhile, Swift has reportedly been upset over being dragged into the legal drama. Sources say her friendship with Lively has cooled because of the case.
Fan Reactions and Public Opinion
Fans are divided over the ruling. Some believe the texts could reveal important details, while others think Baldoni is just using Swift’s fame to gain attention.
“If the texts are relevant, then fair enough. But if this is just about drama, then it’s messed up,” one fan tweeted.
Another wrote, “Taylor has nothing to do with this. Leave her out of it.”
Key Details About the Case
Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of harassment and a smear campaign.
Baldoni’s $400M countersuit was dismissed in June 2025.
Swift was subpoenaed but the order was later withdrawn.
The judge ruled Baldoni can see Lively-Swift texts about the movie or legal case.
A protective order prevents the messages from being leaked.
Final Thoughts
This legal battle continues to make headlines as two Hollywood stars clash in court. With Baldoni now able to access the private messages, the case could take a new turn before the 2026 trial.
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