Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni row takes a new turn

A U.S. judge has ruled that actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni’s legal team can access private text messages exchanged between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, despite Lively’s objections and concerns over potential media leaks.

The decision marks the latest development in a contentious legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, which began in late 2024.

Lively Raised Concerns Over Publicity

Lively had requested that the texts remain sealed, arguing that Baldoni was invoking Swift's name to bolster a public relations narrative beyond the courtroom. She also expressed concern that the messages could be leaked to the press.

Swift, who contributed her 2020 song "My Tears Ricochet" to the It Ends With Us soundtrack, was said by Lively’s team to have no further involvement with the project.

Judge Says Swift Messages Are Relevant

However, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman disagreed, issuing a protective order to ensure the messages remain confidential but permitting their use in discovery.

“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,” Liman wrote in the court filing.

Earlier, Baldoni’s attorneys had subpoenaed Swift and her legal team, but later withdrew the request following objections from the singer’s lawyers.

Background: Lawsuits and Counterclaims

The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual assault on the set of It Ends With Us. She formally filed a lawsuit days later in New York.

Baldoni denied the allegations and responded in January 2025 with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion. That lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Liman on June 9, 2025.

Trial Scheduled for 2026

A trial date has been set for March 2026, with Judge Liman presiding over the proceedings. The case continues to draw public and media attention, not least due to the high-profile names involved.