Taylor Swift’s private message to Blake Lively, in which she calls director Justin Baldoni a “bitch” and mocks him with a “tiny violin,” has verified that Swift’s song Cancelled is aimed at the actress. This revelation comes amid the ongoing Blake Lively Taylor Swift feud, highlighting the intense fallout between the two stars. The text exchange occurred shortly before a New York Times story alleging Baldoni attempted to smear his co-star from It Ends With Us, setting off a legal and personal battle that captivated the entertainment world.
Background on the Legal Battle Involving Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni
The conflict escalated after Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit in January 2025 against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, accusing them of defamation and extortion related to the production of It Ends With Us. Although the case was dismissed in June 2025, it dragged Lively into a heated dispute that strained her relationship with Swift. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, the director shared text messages from Lively, which provide insight into the tangled dynamics between the three parties.
Detailed Look at Taylor Swift’s Bombshell Text to Blake Lively
The Grammy-winning pop star sent Lively a striking text that reads,
“I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin,”
revealing Swift’s sharp disdain for Baldoni. The phrase “tiny violin” also features prominently in Swift’s 2025 song Cancelled from her album The Life of a Showgirl, where she sings:
“Did you make a joke only a man could? / Were you just too smug for your own good? / Or bring a tiny violin to a knife fight? / Baby, that all ends tonight,”
She continues with biting imagery linked to scandal and loyalty:
“Good thing I like my friends cancelled (cancelled) / I like ’em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal (yeah) / Like my whiskey sour / And poison thorny flowers / (Honey) welcome to my underworld,”
This song and the text messages mark a clear connection between Swift’s creative work and the real-life fallout involving Lively and Baldoni.
Blake Lively’s Response and Her Strained Friendship with Taylor Swift
The ongoing legal strife severely impacted Lively’s friendship with Swift, who had previously been close with the actress. Lively’s texts included a metaphor for her protective nature:
“I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better,”
and further added,
“Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. [Smiley-face emoji] you will too, I can promise you.”
She also described Swift and Reynolds as her “most trusted partners,” underscoring the complexity of the relationships involved. However, sources report that the friendship between Swift and Lively deteriorated, with one close source telling People magazine,
“Their friendship has halted. Taylor wants no part in this drama.”
The Impact of the Feud on Swift’s Involvement and Public Image
Taylor Swift was subpoenaed in May 2025 to testify in the Burton battle between Lively and Baldoni, though the subpoena was withdrawn later that month. Swift’s representatives moved quickly to publicly distance the singer from the film’s production and the surrounding controversy. A spokesperson clarified:
“Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, 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,”
Despite these statements, Swift has had no contact with Lively since winter 2024, as exclusively reported last October by Page Six.
Wider Context: The Fallout and What Lies Ahead
The public revelation of Swift’s text message exposes the deep-rooted tension in what was once a friendship between two of Hollywood’s most prominent figures. It also highlights the personal toll that legal battles and professional disputes can take on private relationships. As the lawsuit against Lively was dismissed, the headline-grabbing feud now appears to be at a crossroads, with the future of any potential reconciliation uncertain. Meanwhile, Swift continues to channel her experiences into her music, using her platform to express her perspective on the feud.
