A New York federal judge has ruled that Justin Baldoni, the actor-director of It Ends With Us, can access private text messages exchanged between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, despite Blake's attempt to block them.
The decision came as part of a legal battle stemming from Blake Lively’s allegations of a hostile work environment and retaliation during the film’s production. Blake’s legal team had argued that Baldoni was unfairly dragging Taylor Swift into the dispute for publicity, noting that Taylor had no direct involvement with the behind-the-scenes issues of the film—other than licensing a song for the soundtrack.
However, Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the messages may be “critical to the case,” especially because Blake herself had acknowledged that Taylor was aware of discussions about the on-set environment. In his written order, the judge stated:
“A motion or request may be, and in this case often has been, both a legitimate litigation tactic and an attempt to manoeuvre in the broader court of public opinion.”
Key Developments:
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Justin Baldoni requested access to Lively–Swift texts as part of discovery.
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Blake opposed, citing Taylor’s lack of involvement and privacy concerns.
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Taylor’s team blocked subpoenas, leading Baldoni’s team to withdraw them.
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The court emphasized that a protective order is in place, ensuring that the texts will not be leaked to the media.
Background:
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In December 2024, Lively accused Baldoni and his publicity team of orchestrating a smear campaign after she reported sexual harassment on set.
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Baldoni then filed a defamation countersuit, which has since been dismissed.
While Taylor Swift has not been formally drawn into the case as a party, this development may further amplify public scrutiny over the legal dispute. The court's acknowledgment of both legal relevance and reputational dynamics underscores the high-profile nature of the lawsuit involving two Hollywood A-listers—and now, tangentially, one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
