Blake Lively has denied that Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman were present when her husband, Ryan Reynolds, confronted Justin Baldoni over alleged ‘fat-shaming.’ The dispute arose from Lively’s deposition in which she stated that only Reynolds was in the room during the discussion at their New York City penthouse on April 25, 2023, where she addressed Baldoni’s inappropriate inquiry about her weight.
Details of the Confrontation and Lively’s Testimony
During her deposition released Tuesday, Lively explained that Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director, had asked her personal trainer, Don Saladino, about Lively’s weight behind her back while they prepared to film scenes involving physical lifts in the movie It Ends With Us. Baldoni claimed the question stemmed from concerns about his back problems. Lively described the inquiry as invasive and upsetting, prompting Ryan Reynolds to briefly join the conversation. She said,
“No one but Baldoni, myself, and Reynolds was anywhere in our office during the discussion about Baldoni’s inappropriate inquiries into my weight.”
Lively also described Hugh Jackman as a friend who simply stopped by to take Reynolds to lunch. She recounted,
“He shook Baldoni’s hand at the door, they exchanged niceties, and Jackman left with Reynolds.”
This contradicted claims that Jackman stayed during the confrontation.
Contradictory Timeline and Allegations Involving Swift and Jackman
The testimony contrasts an unsealed exhibit from November 2024, which included a timeline sent to Baldoni’s publicist claiming both Swift and Jackman were inside the penthouse during the confrontation. According to that document, Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman overheard Reynolds’ heated discussion with a tearful Baldoni, who was accused of ‘fat-shaming’ Lively through his inquiry about her weight.
The exhibit further stated that Baldoni felt embarrassed and apologized while reportedly sharing tears. However, Lively has insisted that Swift and Jackman were not present during the meeting and that the timeline was inaccurate.
Legal Background and Ongoing Litigation Between Lively and Baldoni
Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and others in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation, allegations Baldoni denies. Their trial is scheduled for March 2026. Baldoni’s lawyers have previously released extensive documentation, including emails and text messages, showing a timeline from January 2019 to January 2024. These materials reveal Baldoni’s efforts to seek training and nutritional advice to accommodate his chronic back problems while preparing for his role.
Baldoni contended his inquiry about Lively’s weight was made “in good faith” to prepare for physically demanding scenes. He denied intent to embarrass or shame, explaining in a countersuit—later dismissed—that he contacted Saladino for guidance on how to train his back muscles adequately.
Impact of Celebrity Friendships and Revealed Text Messages in the Dispute
The legal battle has also exposed private messages between Lively and Taylor Swift, revealing tensions and the degree to which Swift was involved in supporting Lively during the dispute. Swift reportedly called Baldoni a “b***h” in texts and backed Lively in their shared frustration toward the director, who Lively disparagingly labeled in messages as
“this doofus director of my movie”
and “a clown.”
“This doofus director of my movie,”
Ryan Reynolds, husband of Blake Lively
“I’ll do anything for you !!”
Taylor Swift, singer
“I think this b**** [Baldoni] knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.”
Taylor Swift, singer
Lively’s messages also involved discussions with other high-profile friends such as Matt Damon, Lucy Damon, and Ben Affleck, where she allegedly described Baldoni as a “chaotic clown” and boasted about her role in rewriting the film’s script and directing actors.
Swift’s Official Response and Role Clarification
In response to growing speculation, Taylor Swift’s representative firmly stated that Swift was uninvolved in the film’s production. The representative 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.”
Swift’s connection to the film remains restricted to permitting the use of her song My Tears Ricochet, with the representative accusing others of exploiting her name to
“draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”
Support from Hugh Jackman and Public Appearances Amid Legal Drama
Despite the allegations, Jackman has shown public support for Blake Lively. He appeared with her and Reynolds at the It Ends With Us premiere in New York City on August 9, 2024, and also posed with them for the September 2024 issue of Vogue. These appearances suggest Jackman remains close to the couple amid the ongoing legal turmoil and media scrutiny.
Significance and Upcoming Legal Proceedings
The widening rift between Lively, Baldoni, and their circle, compounded by contradictory accounts of the confrontation and detailed internal communications, illustrates the intensity and complexity of the case. Allegations of fat-shaming, inappropriate behavior, and professional retaliation have placed the film’s production and those involved under the microscope. With the trial set for March 2026, the case is poised to further explore the veracity of claims made by both sides and the involvement of prominent figures such as Swift and Jackman. The outcome could have lasting effects on reputations and working relationships within Hollywood circles.
