Blake Lively and Taylor Swift exchanged private messages in early 2024 concerning Justin Baldoni, the director of the film It Ends With Us. These communications emerged amid Lively’s legal battles against Baldoni, who faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, accusations he denies. The conversations highlight their personal connection amidst the complex litigation that has spanned more than a year.
Text Messages Between Lively and Swift Reveal Inside Discussions About Baldoni
According to court documents obtained in January 2025, Blake Lively reached out to Taylor Swift to share concerns about Justin Baldoni, referring to him derogatorily as her “doofus director” and a “clown.” The texts accompanied a revised script of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel that Lively had rewritten. Lively sent Swift the script as Swift was on her way to Lively’s apartment for a meeting with Baldoni at the time.
In response, Swift pledged her support by texting back,
“I’ll do anything for you !!”
Lively subsequently expressed her gratitude, commending Swift as
“the world’s absolute greatest friend ever”
and describing her as “so epically heroic today.” She also told Swift she had shared the situation with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, underscoring the seriousness of the dispute.
During her July deposition, Lively clarified that she had told Swift she was not obligated to read the script, assuring her friend not to feel pressured. However, court filings later argued that this language was included only to alleviate any pressure Swift might have felt, while Lively hoped Swift would review the script.
Legal Proceedings Begin: Lively’s Complaint Filed Against Baldoni and His Associates
On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively formally filed a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department against Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and other associates. The complaint, reported by The New York Times and confirmed by E! News, accused Baldoni and his team of sexual harassment, retaliation, and various other violations including failure to prevent or investigate harassment.
The complaint detailed a retaliatory campaign orchestrated by Baldoni and Wayfarer following Lively’s complaints about inappropriate conduct on the film set. It described the retaliation as a “sophisticated press and digital plan” designed to harm Lively personally and professionally.
Exposure of an Alleged Smear Campaign Against Lively
The following day, on December 21, 2024, The New York Times published an exposé on the alleged smear campaign against Blake Lively, citing text messages from Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis communication specialist Melissa Nathan. The article made court documents publicly accessible, fueling widespread media attention.
Lively asserted that her legal actions aimed
“to help pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct,”
further expressing a desire to protect others who might face similar treatment.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Denies Allegations and Defends Their Actions
In response, attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni and Wayfarer associates, dismissed the accusations as false and damaging. He described the claims as “categorically false” and a desperate attempt by Lively to repair her reputation. Freedman explained that Wayfarer’s hiring of a crisis manager occurred prior to the film’s marketing campaign and characterized their activities as standard public relations operations.
Talent Agency William Morris Endeavor Ends Association with Baldoni
On December 21, 2024, William Morris Endeavor (WME) dropped Justin Baldoni as a client following the publication of the Times article. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel confirmed the separation but denied any involvement by Ryan Reynolds, despite Baldoni’s claims. WME clarified that no pressure was exerted by Reynolds or Lively, nor was Baldoni’s agent present at the premiere of Reynolds’ film Deadpool & Wolverine.
Support from Cast and Industry Figures for Lively
Following the allegations, many cast members and notable stars publicly voiced support for Lively. Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends With Us, praised Lively’s honesty and kindness on Instagram Stories and thanked her for her patience. Jenny Slate, who starred in the film alongside Lively and Baldoni, declared her support during an interview with Today, describing Lively as a leader and a trusted source of emotional support.
Brandon Sklenar, portraying Lively’s character’s love interest, urged readers to review the complaint, while Lively’s fellow Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actresses America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn expressed solidarity with her.
Co-host Departure from Podcast Associated with Baldoni and Wayfarer
On December 23, 2024, Liz Plank announced she would no longer co-host The Man Enough Podcast alongside Justin Baldoni and Jamey Heath. Plank thanked listeners and described her decision as a chapter closing, emphasizing a commitment to accountability and justice without directly citing the legal dispute but noting the timing coincided with Lively’s complaint.
Former Publicist Files Suit Alleging Smear Campaign Within Baldoni’s Team
On December 24, 2024, Stephanie Jones, Baldoni’s former publicist, and her agency Jonesworks LLC filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni, his company Wayfarer, Jennifer Abel, and Melissa Nathan of orchestrating media attacks against Jones herself. The suit alleges conspiracies to breach contracts, steal clients, and discredit Jones publicly, claiming she was unfairly blamed for a smear campaign targeting Lively.
Jones’ lawsuit claims Abel and Nathan continue to falsely defame her and that Baldoni and Wayfarer have refused to settle these disputes privately. Representatives for the defendants did not respond to requests for comment.
Baldoni and Associates Sue The New York Times for Defamation
On December 31, 2024, Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and others filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the paper of libel and other violations relating to its coverage of the alleged retaliatory campaign against Lively. The suit claimed The Times relied heavily on Lively’s “unverified and self-serving narrative,” ignoring evidence that contradicted her statements.
The complaint accused Lively of being the orchestrator of a smear campaign herself, an allegation she has categorically denied. The New York Times said it planned to vigorously defend its reporting, stating the story was meticulously researched and based on thousands of pages of original documents.
Lively Files Federal Lawsuit Affirming Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims
Also on December 31, 2024, Blake Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and associates in New York state court. The suit reiterated claims of sexual harassment, retaliation, emotional distress, and other violations described earlier in her CRD complaint. Lively’s attorneys emphasized that this filing disproves Baldoni’s depiction of her complaint as merely a negotiation tactic.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Plans Further Litigation Against Lively
On January 2, 2025, Freedman confirmed in an NBC News interview that Baldoni’s team planned to sue Lively, indicating further legal action was imminent. The lawsuit filed by Baldoni and his associates against The New York Times suggested that additional defendants were involved, signaling continuing legal escalation.
Legal Counsel Criticizes Public Mockery Related to Baldoni
Amid social media speculation that Ryan Reynolds mocked Justin Baldoni through his film Deadpool & Wolverine, Freedman publicly condemned such behavior. Speaking on The Megyn Kelly Show, Freedman stressed that sexual harassment allegations must be taken seriously and not turned into jokes, calling for the formal legal process to be followed instead.
Lively’s Lawyers Denounce Retaliation and New Attacks
Lively’s legal representatives issued statements on January 7, 2025, asserting that the ongoing federal litigation involved serious claims substantiated by evidence, and rejecting the framing of the dispute as a mere “he said/she said” or creative disagreement. They alleged Wayfarer and its associates engaged in unlawful retaliatory actions against Lively and criticized their further attacks since the lawsuits began.
They highlighted classic tactics used to question victims, such as blaming, minimizing misconduct, and reversing roles of victim and offender, warning against normalizing such approaches. The attorneys insisted they would pursue the case through the courts, rejecting any media statements as defenses.
Baldoni’s Lawyer Accuses Lively of Manipulating Media Narratives
In response, Freedman accused Lively of orchestrating attacks on Baldoni through media leaks of selectively edited documents before filing official complaints. He promised to present evidence illustrating a pattern of bullying and threats by Lively, asserting this behavior was consistent with her past actions and bolstered by documented communications.
Baldoni and Allies File Additional Suits Against Lively and Associates
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni, Wayfarer, Jennifer Abel, Melissa Nathan, and the production entity filed a lawsuit accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and her PR firm Vision PR of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Lively and Reynolds were additionally charged with breach of good faith and interference with contractual and economic relations.
This suit denied sexual harassment claims and alleged Lively attempted to seize control of the film’s creative direction, working with Reynolds, Sloane, and others to damage the plaintiffs’ reputations after Lively faced criticism involving the movie’s promotion. The lawsuit characterized the Times article as a coordinated effort to publish false information.
Lively’s Team Responds, Labeling Baldoni’s Suit a Tactic to Silence
Lively’s lawyers described Baldoni’s lawsuit as an abusive tactic meant to discredit her and silence claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. They said such behavior fits the DARVO pattern—Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim Offender—commonly used by abusers. The legal team emphasized that Sony had approved Lively’s involvement in overseeing the film’s distribution, countering Baldoni’s claim she alienated the cast.
They condemned reactions blaming Lively’s wardrobe or conduct for the harassment, underscoring that focus must be on the abuse rather than victim blaming, and expressed confidence the evidence will vindicate Lively in court.
Behind-the-Scenes Video Released Amid Legal Dispute
On January 21, 2025, Baldoni’s attorneys released behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of It Ends With Us, asserting the video demonstrated respectful and professional conduct between Baldoni and Lively. They claimed the recorded scene was scripted to show romantic connection and mutual consent.
However, Lively’s legal team responded that the footage actually corroborated their client’s description of feeling discomfort and being subjected to unscripted actions by Baldoni. They said the video shows Lively trying to distance herself and asking to communicate verbally, signs indicative of her unease during filming.
Lively and Reynolds Seek Judicial Gag Order Against Baldoni’s Lawyer
On January 22, 2025, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds requested a gag order be placed on Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lead attorney, citing concerns about preventing improper conduct during ongoing litigation. The move aimed to limit Freedman’s public statements related to the case, intending to ensure a fair legal process.
Unveiling of 2 AM Voice Memo by Baldoni
On January 27, 2025, a seven-minute voice memo sent by Baldoni to Lively during production surfaced online. In the message, Baldoni complimented the creative teamwork among Lively, Reynolds, and Taylor Swift, saying,
“We should all have friends like that aside from the fact that they’re two of the most creative people on the planet.”
He also apologized for his unsatisfactory response to Lively’s script revision, stating,
“I f–ked up. One thing you should know about me is that I will admit and apologize when I fail.”
Trial Date Set for Lively vs. Baldoni Case
One month after filing her formal lawsuit, Blake Lively’s court trial against Justin Baldoni was scheduled for March 9, 2026. This sets a long-term timeline for the high-profile legal battle as both parties prepare for extended litigation.
Baldoni Adds The New York Times to Expanding Lawsuit
On January 31, 2025, Baldoni’s legal team amended their counterclaim to include The New York Times among defendants. The expanded $400 million lawsuit accused Lively and her team of colluding with the newspaper to disseminate distorted and misleading information, alleging the paper cherry-picked and altered communications to misrepresent the context of messages.
Baldoni Launches Website Detailing His Side of the Dispute
On February 2, 2025, Baldoni’s team launched a public website providing information on the ongoing lawsuit against Lively, including the amended complaint and a timeline of events. The platform also published alleged screenshots of text exchanges among Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni. The release followed lawyer Freedman’s earlier statement promising transparency by sharing all communications between the parties.
Lively Files Amended Complaint with Additional Witnesses Corroborating Harassment Claims
On February 18, 2025, Lively’s attorneys updated their complaint to include statements from two other women who worked on It Ends With Us. These individuals reportedly came forward expressing discomfort with Baldoni’s conduct. The complaint alleged Baldoni had acknowledged complaints in writing dating back to May 2023. To protect the witnesses amid ongoing hostility, their identities remained confidential.
Freedman countered, calling the new allegations “unsubstantial hearsay” and asserting those witnesses no longer supported Lively’s claims or were willing to testify publicly.
Publicist Leslie Sloane Seeks Removal from Legal Dispute
On February 20, 2025, Leslie Sloane, publicist to Lively and Reynolds, filed a motion to be dismissed from the lawsuit after being accused by Baldoni’s side of orchestrating false, damaging narratives portraying Baldoni as a sexual predator. Sloane’s attorney argued the accusations lacked merit and characterized her involvement in the case as a distraction from the core issues.
Lively Enlists Former CIA Deputy Chief for Legal Communications
On February 28, 2025, Lively hired Nick Shapiro, a former Deputy Chief of Staff for the CIA, to advise on legal communications strategy related to her ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit. Shapiro’s credentials include senior roles at Visa and Airbnb and leadership of his own consulting firm, 10th Avenue Consulting LLC. His hiring reflects Lively’s commitment to managing the public narrative throughout the litigation.
The New York Times Seeks Dismissal from Lawsuit
Also on February 28, 2025, The New York Times filed a motion to dismiss itself from the $400 million lawsuit involving Lively, Baldoni, Sloane, and others. The paper argued that while the controversy had generated extensive headlines, it was not a party that should be involved in the dispute. Legal filings indicated that prior suits specifically targeting The Times were dismissed following its inclusion in the larger suit.
Judge Halts Discovery Process in Lawsuit Against The New York Times
On March 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted a temporary halt to discovery in the lawsuit against The New York Times. The stay was issued pending review of the newspaper’s motion to dismiss, with the judge noting the motion had substantial grounds likely to succeed. The judge also ruled that pausing discovery would not unfairly prejudice Baldoni’s legal team.
In response, a New York Times spokesperson highlighted the court’s recognition of the First Amendment importance and emphasized that the newspaper should not have been burdened with discovery in a case it viewed as baseless.
Baldoni’s Team Attempts to Subpoena Taylor Swift before Withdrawing Request
In May 2025, Baldoni’s legal team sought to subpoena Taylor Swift after alleging Lively used her friendship with the singer to gain creative control over It Ends With Us. Swift’s representatives pushed back, stating she never visited the film set and had no involvement in casting, scoring, editing, or creative decisions, beyond licensing one song for the soundtrack.
They described the subpoena as an attempt to generate tabloid attention rather than focus on facts. Later that month, Baldoni’s side withdrew this subpoena request.
Judge Dismisses Baldoni’s Countersuit Against Lively and Others
On June 9, 2025, a judge dismissed the countersuit Baldoni filed against Lively, Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times, ruling the claims of defamation and civil extortion were unsubstantiated. Afterward, Lively shared her relief on social media, acknowledging the difficulty many face in battling retaliatory lawsuits due to limited resources and thanking those who supported her.
Baldoni’s attorney disagreed publicly, calling Lively’s statement “predictable” and maintaining that the case concerned false accusations against Baldoni and a fictitious smear campaign, which they argued lacked evidence due to being “untraceable.”
Lively’s July 2025 Deposition Clarifies Legal Proceedings
On July 31, 2025, Blake Lively was deposed at her attorneys’ offices in New York. Contrary to media portrayals of a dramatic face-to-face showdown, Lively’s legal team filed motions arguing that though Baldoni and other defendants attended with legal counsel, Lively did not require a large entourage to testify. The deposition addressed aspects of the ongoing legal battle but did not yield immediate resolution.
