Taylor Swift’s lawyer denies that the pop star agreed to be deposed in Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni case

Baldoni’s lawyers told the judge on Thursday (September 11, 2025) that they were told Taylor Swift “has agreed to appear for deposition” as per People’s report and asked the court to extend discovery so that it could take place between October 20 and October 25.

Taylor Swift’s lawyer pushed back on Friday (September 12, 2025), saying she never agreed to be deposed and that she “has no material role in this action,” as reported by AP News. Her team added that, if the judge compels her, she would be available in the late-October window.

The dispute matters because discovery is nearly finished, and the case already has a trial date. Blake Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him and his company of alleged sexual harassment and retaliation tied to the film It Ends With Us. Baldoni denied those claims and filed a large countersuit that referenced others connected to the production; a judge dismissed that countersuit in June 2025.

The parties have traded motions about depositions, documents and the schedule, and the new exchange over Swift’s possible testimony is another turn in those fights.

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Taylor Swift’s lawyer says she did not agree to a deposition

As reported by AP News, Taylor Swift’s attorney, J. Douglas Baldridge, wrote that Swift “did not agree to a deposition." Baldridge’s letter emphasizes that Taylor Swift “has no material role in this action,” and notes her team would only make time during the week of October 20 if the court ordered it. That filing was submitted to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.

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Baldoni’s lawyers say Taylor Swift agreed and asked to extend discovery

In their letter, Baldoni’s lawyers said Swift agreed to attend a deposition but could not do so until after October 20 because of prior commitments. The defense asked the court to move the deposition deadline so the questioning could happen in that narrow window. Their filing framed the request as limited to accommodating Taylor Swift’s schedule rather than seeking a broad extension.

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Blake Lively’s team objects to timing and relevance

Lively’s lawyers responded by faulting Baldoni’s side for waiting until late in the discovery period to try to schedule Taylor Swift. According to Entertainment Weekly’s reports, in a court brief, they said the defense was

“silent about their efforts (if any) to schedule this deposition during the existing discovery period.”

And described the defense’s conduct as a

“lack of diligence, and disrespect for Ms. Swift’s privacy and schedule.”

Lively’s team argues Swift had little or no direct connection to the core claims and that adding depositions now risks delaying the case.

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What Swift’s involvement would cover and why it matters?

News reports and filings say Swift’s confirmed role with It Ends With Us was licensing the song My Tears Ricochet for the film and trailer. As per Entertainment Weekly’s reports, her lawyers stress she “never set foot on the set” and was not involved in casting, edits or production decisions.

Whether a judge allows a deposition will depend on whether Swift’s testimony could provide facts tied to Lively’s claims or Baldoni’s defenses. As Swift is widely known, her involvement raises public attention even when the legal relevance is limited.

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Next steps in court and the trial schedule

Judge Lewis J. Liman will decide whether to compel Swift’s testimony and whether to change the discovery calendar. The discovery cutoff cited by the parties is September 30, and the trial remains scheduled for March 9, 2026.

If the judge allows a deposition and an extension, the parties will need to agree on logistics; if not, Taylor Swift likely will not be asked to testify. Either outcome could affect witness lists and the timing of the trial.