Did Justin Baldoni lawsuit cause a rift between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift? What we know

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively have been friends for over a decade, appearing together at high-profile events and sharing family moments. In December 2024, Lively sued her It Ends with Us director-co-star Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and unprofessional conduct on set.

Baldoni denied the claims and, in January 2025, countersued Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist for defamation and extortion, mentioning Swift in his filings. Legal papers submitted by Baldoni claim that Taylor Swift and Reynolds “pressured him into accepting one of Lively’s rewrites,” drawing the singer into the dispute.

Also Read: Fans react as Lorde officially drops new single 'What Was That'

---

How Taylor Swift became a part of the lawsuit filings

Baldoni’s countersuit alleges that friends of Lively, including Taylor Swift, exerted influence over creative decisions on It Ends with Us. A source told PEOPLE,

“Anyone that had any knowledge of this situation will be subpoenaed, no matter of their celebrity status.”

Another insider dismissed the idea that Taylor Swift was deeply involved as “smoke and mirrors and trying to distract from the allegations against Baldoni.” Meanwhile, media reports indicate Swift “wishes she had not been involved,” feeling “used” by the turn of events.

---

What the “dragon” remark revealed about behind-the-scenes tension

A focal point of Baldoni’s complaint is a text exchange in which Lively referred to Reynolds and Swift as her “dragons”, who protect her creative interests.

According to the filing, Lively texted:

“If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones,… I happen to have a few dragons… they don’t give a s--- about that. And because of that, everyone listens to them with immense respect.”

Baldoni argued this message showed Lively leveraged her friends’ celebrity to pressure him into accepting script changes, framing it as evidence of coercion. Reports also note that Baldoni viewed Swift’s praise of Lively’s draft as implicit encouragement to comply.

---

How both women worked to repair their friendship

Despite the strain, sources say Lively believed early on that “she and Taylor would come back from this,” confident their bond wasn’t over.

An insider added, “Taylor was really hurt by this situation, so she’s relieved they were able to recover from this and put it all behind them because it wasn’t something she took lightly.”

Neither Taylor Swift nor Lively has publicly commented on the dispute in interviews, but they have continued appearing in mutual circles, including NFL games and charitable events. Observers note that Swift’s role as godmother to Lively’s children remains unchanged, suggesting personal ties outweighed temporary upset.

---

The inclusion of Taylor Swift’s name in the legal filings between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni sparked questions about a potential fallout, but available evidence indicates no lasting rift.

While Swift was “really hurt” by being drawn into the lawsuit, insiders report she and Lively have since moved past the conflict with their friendship intact. As the trial looms in March 2026, both women seem to have put private tensions behind them, highlighting the resilience of their long-standing relationship.

Also Read: 10 most watched music videos on YouTube as the platform turns 20