Taylor Swift admits ‘shift’ in Blake Lively friendship in unsealed texts

Taylor Swift has reportedly opened up about a noticeable change in her once-close friendship with Blake Lively, according to newly unsealed text messages revealed in court documents tied to Lively’s legal dispute surrounding It Ends With Us.

The private messages, which were submitted as evidence and later obtained by E! News, shed light on candid conversations between the global pop superstar, 36, and the Gossip Girl actress, 38, as they attempted to address the growing distance in their relationship.

The rift is said to have emerged amid Lively’s high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, along with the defamation countersuit he later filed against her. Baldoni has denied all allegations, while his countersuit against Lively was ultimately dismissed.

According to the unsealed documents, Lively reached out to Swift first in December 2024, expressing concern that her personal struggles and legal turmoil may have strained their bond.

In one message, Lively reportedly asked if “everything is ok,” admitting she felt like a “bad friend” for being consumed by her own situation for months.

She also acknowledged Swift’s support during the difficult period, thanking her for being “the key person” there for her while allowing her grace amid the chaos of the legal battle.

Lively further emphasised that she wanted the chance to be a better friend if she had unintentionally caused hurt.

Swift’s response, as detailed in the filings, was equally honest. The singer reportedly told Lively that she was “not wrong” in sensing a change between them, while also downplaying the severity of the issue.

Swift explained that she had been feeling exhausted “in every avenue” of her life and had noticed a “shift” in how Lively communicated with her in recent months.

The Grammy winner also referenced the ongoing “Justin stuff,” noting that while she understood how all-consuming such situations can be, the altered dynamic had still been felt.

The text messages further reveal that Swift had previously been unsettled by Lively’s communication style, which she allegedly felt had begun to sound like a “mass corporate email,” prompting the pair to confront the issue directly.