Taylor Swift asked to testify as a witness in legal case involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the escalating legal dispute between It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively.

Even though Taylor Swift was not directly involved in the making of the movie, her song “My Tears Ricochet” was used in the film’s trailer and a scene. Despite this, Swift’s name is mentioned in a crucial text message central to Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit, which amounts to $400 million, as reported by Variety.

A representative for Swift revealed that the singer never visited the movie set, had no part in casting or creative decisions, did not contribute to the film’s score, never reviewed any edits, did not provide feedback on the movie, and only watched It Ends With Us several weeks after it was released to the public. During 2023 and 2024, Swift was on a world tour, which is considered the largest tour in history.

Baldoni’s legal action, directed against Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, alleges that they took control of the film and tarnished his reputation with baseless claims, such as accusations of sexual misconduct. Even though Swift is not directly named in the lawsuit, she is presumed to be the high-profile friend referenced in messages regarding a scene on a rooftop that Lively reportedly rewrote. According to court documents, Lively hosted Baldoni at her penthouse in New York City, where both Reynolds and Swift supported her revisions.

Baldoni later texted: “Also was working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does [help] a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor) You really are a talent across the board. Really excited [and] grateful to do this together.”

Lively responded with a message describing Reynolds and a redacted name as “absolute titans as writers and storytellers,” then added: “My dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.”

Swift’s team dismissed the subpoena as a publicity stunt. “Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”

Still, It Ends With Us actress Isabela Ferrer told Extra she learned after being cast that Swift had been a “helpful part of the process of the audition.”

The legal saga began in December when Lively filed a harassment complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department. After the New York Times reported on it, Baldoni sued the paper for $250 million. Lively then filed a suit against Baldoni for alleged legal violations, prompting his $400 million counterclaim. Lively and Reynolds have filed motions to dismiss, calling the defamation suit retaliatory.