Ryan Reynolds confronts Justin Baldoni over Blake Lively‘s treatment, as detailed in recently unsealed court documents, with Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman reportedly present during the heated exchange in a New York City penthouse. The confrontation, part of a broader legal battle involving Lively and Baldoni over alleged misconduct on the set of “It Ends With Us,” has drawn in public figures and continues to gather significant attention as the ongoing trial approaches.
Allegations of Misconduct Spark Confrontation
According to new court filings from an ongoing dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, a timeline prepared by Jamey Heath, co-founder of Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, was sent to Baldoni’s publicist in July 2024 and later unsealed. This timeline describes a confrontation on April 25, 2023, at Baldoni’s New York City penthouse, where Ryan Reynolds allegedly rebuked Baldoni for questioning Lively’s weight. The actor expressed anger over what he considered “fat shaming” directed at his wife, Blake Lively.
The legal documents assert that Reynolds’ reaction left Baldoni feeling vulnerable and remorseful, as stated:
“completely embarrassed and apologized and even shared some tears,”
according to the court record.
Baldoni’s legal team added further detail, claiming that
“[The] confrontation by Reynolds and Lively was so aggressive that Baldoni felt he had no choice but to offer repeated (and completely unwarranted) apologies,”
describing the incident’s intensity.
Swift and Jackman Present During Incident
Friends of Reynolds and Lively, Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, were reportedly in the apartment during the dispute. The same unsealed exhibit noted that both celebrities witnessed the interaction, placing them at the scene during the volatile moment between Reynolds and Baldoni.
Us Weekly has reached out to all parties mentioned for further comment regarding these revelations as the legal proceedings continue.
Timeline and The Involvement of Swift
Previous reports from TMZ indicate that Swift arrived at Lively and Reynolds’ penthouse near the end of the confrontation, unaware of the ongoing conflict and meeting Baldoni for the first and only time. According to a source quoted by TMZ:
“Justin was about to leave after the 2-hour meeting as Taylor walked in, and she was introduced to him for the first and only time,”
the unnamed insider stated.
After the introduction, Swift reportedly expressed her support for Baldoni in his role as director, saying,
“because he was her friend’s boss,”
referencing her enthusiasm about “It Ends With Us.”
Details from Lively’s Lawsuit and Baldoni’s Defense
In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and loss of wages. Baldoni has denied all claims and countersued in January, though his counter-case was subsequently dismissed.
Lively’s legal filings accuse Baldoni of inappropriate comments about her appearance during the filming of “It Ends With Us,” stating that he allegedly found
“back-channel ways of criticizing her body and weight”
as asserted in her complaint.
One specific claim involved Baldoni contacting Lively’s trainer without her knowledge, pressuring for weight loss. Lively’s attorneys wrote:
“Lively was humiliated to learn that Mr. Baldoni secretly called her fitness trainer without her knowledge or permission, and implied that he wanted her to lose weight in two weeks,”
detailing the gravity of the allegation.
Baldoni’s lawyers disputed the motive, responding that he only reached out to the trainer due to a scene in which he would have to lift Lively. They argued that his concern was for a pre-existing back injury, not her physical appearance.
Swift’s Efforts to Distance Herself
As legal actions intensified, Taylor Swift has actively worked to maintain her distance from the dispute. Baldoni’s legal team released a message from the director to Lively referencing Swift’s influence on a rooftop scene in the film:
“Was working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does hep [sic] a lot,”
and further:
“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 nd [sic] grateful to do this together.”
Baldoni’s attorneys formally subpoenaed Swift in May 2025, seeking her testimony. Swift’s spokesperson replied firmly, stating the pop star:
“never set foot on the set of”
the film and clarified she had no roles in casting or creative decisions, except granting her song “My Tears Ricochet” for use in the soundtrack.
Her representative elaborated:
“She did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film,”
and,
“She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history.”
On the motivations behind the legal actions involving Swift, her spokesperson claimed:
“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.”
Upcoming Trial and Possible Witnesses
During discovery, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed attempts by Team Baldoni to depose Swift, finding it fell outside the permitted timeline. Nonetheless, court records show that Swift and Hugh Jackman were listed by Lively’s lawyers as possible witnesses for the upcoming trial, alongside Emily Blunt, Scooter Braun, and Gigi Hadid, who were all named as individuals with likely relevant information about the on-set dispute.
The legal battle is on course for trial on March 9, 2026, barring a settlement between Lively and Baldoni. Lively’s legal representatives confirm she plans to deliver testimony herself, intensifying stakes as public scrutiny continues to mount.
Ongoing Impact and What Lies Ahead
The revelations surrounding Ryan Reynolds’ confrontation with Justin Baldoni, witnessed by Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, highlight the emotional volatility and high profile of this legal case. As allegations of mistreatment, privacy invasion, and reputational harm unfold, the involvement of celebrities such as Swift and Jackman brings continued media attention. The trial scheduled for early 2026 is likely to feature further disclosures, with the possibility of significant implications for those involved and the broader film industry.
