Pop Superstar Clarifies “No Material Role” in ‘It Ends With Us’ Co-Stars’ Battle Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Taylor Swift, the global music sensation, has found herself unexpectedly drawn into the contentious legal dispute between Hollywood actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni. Swift’s legal team recently issued a strong clarification, asserting that the 35-year-old artist never agreed to a deposition in Lively’s high-profile lawsuit against Baldoni, despite previous claims to the contrary.
The entanglement stems from the ongoing legal battle surrounding the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, “It Ends With Us,” starring Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 41. Lively filed her lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni has vehemently denied all allegations.
Swift’s Stance: No Agreement, Minimal Involvement
In a letter submitted to the U.S. District Court on Friday and obtained by PEOPLE, Swift’s attorney, Doug Baldridge of Venable LLP, unequivocally stated that the singer “did not agree” to testify and holds “no material role” in the matter. Baldridge highlighted that Swift’s team only became aware of Baldoni’s deposition request a mere three days prior to their official response. While acknowledging that Swift could potentially be available during the week of October 20 if legally compelled by the court, her representatives stressed that her camp “takes no role in those disputes.”
The letter further elaborated: “my client did not agree to a deposition, but if she is forced into a deposition, we advised (after first hearing about the deposition just three days ago) that her schedule would accommodate the time required during the week of October 20 if the parties were able to work out their disputes.”
Lively’s Lawyers Cry “Media-Driven Tactic”
Swift’s clarification came in direct response to a filing from Blake Lively’s attorneys. Lively’s legal team is vigorously opposing Baldoni’s request to extend the discovery timeline, a move they argue is solely designed to depose Swift, whom they consider a non-party to the case. Lively’s lawyers have denounced Baldoni’s efforts as “outrageous” and a “media-driven tactic” aimed at garnering publicity rather than seeking relevant information for the lawsuit.
“The Wayfarer Defendants have repeatedly sought to bring Ms. Swift into this litigation to fuel their relentless media strategy,” Lively’s filing asserted, adding that Baldoni’s team “have not come close to establishing good cause” for Swift’s involvement. They pointed out that Baldoni’s team had previously subpoenaed Swift in May – an action that generated significant media coverage – only to withdraw the subpoena shortly thereafter “to much fanfare.” Now, they contend, Baldoni’s lawyers are attempting to resurrect Swift’s involvement at the eleventh hour without a new subpoena or a valid explanation.
Lively’s representatives also underscored the immense professional demands on Swift’s schedule, noting she is preparing for the release of her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set for October 3.
Baldoni’s Prior Claims and a Dismissed Countersuit
The attempt to involve Swift isn’t new. In a September 11 letter to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who is overseeing the case of Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC, et al., Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, had previously claimed that Swift “has agreed to appear for deposition” but was unavailable until October 20 due to “Ms. Swift’s preexisting professional obligations.” This claim was made within Freedman’s objection to Lively’s motion to modify the court’s case management and scheduling orders.
This latest development echoes Baldoni’s now-dismissed $400 million countersuit against Lively. In that filing, Baldoni alleged that Swift and Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, pressured him to accept a script rewrite for “It Ends With Us” during a visit to their New York apartment. The countersuit even included a text message from Lively, in which she purportedly compared herself to “Game of Thrones” character Daenerys Targaryen and referred to Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons.”
With the core allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation still central, the high-stakes legal battle is slated to go to trial in March 2026.
