Blake Lively is taking legal action, seeking a protective order against Justin Baldoni’s team. This isn’t just any legal dispute; it involves alleged attempts to access private communications between Lively and pop superstar Taylor Swift. According to documents obtained by People, Baldoni’s team has repeatedly requested these communications, even after withdrawing subpoenas to Swift and her legal counsel. Lively’s lawyer, Esra Hudson, argues that this pursuit is a deliberate tactic to leverage Swift’s massive fanbase for a media strategy against Lively.
The situation escalated when Baldoni’s team allegedly included Swift in their ‘Scenario Planning’ document back in August 2024, highlighting the ‘TS fanbase’ as a significant factor. Lively’s spokesperson stated that Baldoni’s team’s continued attempts to use Swift are a distraction from the core issues of the case, which involves lawsuits against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and the New York Times—all of which have been dismissed.
Interestingly, a subpoena to Swift regarding the legal dispute was previously issued and later withdrawn by Baldoni’s team. A source close to the case indicated that the withdrawal was due to the voluntary receipt of the necessary information. Lively’s team applauded the withdrawal at the time, emphasizing their commitment to protecting third parties from harassment during the process. They further accused Baldoni’s team of exploiting Swift’s celebrity and creating tabloid distractions from the actual claims of sexual harassment and retaliation against them.
Swift herself previously denied any significant involvement in the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” aside from licensing her song “My Tears Ricochet.” Her representative stressed that Swift’s only connection to the film was this licensing agreement, a practice shared by numerous other artists. The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively is set for trial in March 2026, and this latest development adds another layer of complexity to an already high-profile case. The ongoing saga continues to unfold, with the spotlight shining brightly on the intersection of celebrity, legal battles, and the power of public perception.
