Amid the unfolding Blake Lively legal battle, her private text messages with Taylor Swift, emails to Ben Affleck, and deposition statements from Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer have been made public. These revelations come as part of the high-profile lawsuit involving the film It Ends With Us, centered on allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct against director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Lively initially filed the complaint in December 2024, accusing Baldoni and his associates of launching a social manipulation campaign aimed at destroying her reputation. Baldoni’s legal team has vigorously denied these claims, labeling them as shameful and categorically false. Though Baldoni counter-sued, his lawsuit was dismissed in June, with a trial currently scheduled to commence on May 18, 2026.
Insights from Jenny Slate’s Deposition and Messages
Jenny Slate, who portrayed Allysa—Baldoni’s on-screen sister—provided detailed testimony during her deposition held September 26, 2025, in New York. Several of her text messages were presented, shedding light on the difficult working conditions on set and the production environment overseen by Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath.
Slate revealed that both she and Blake Lively directly voiced complaints to the film’s studio about these issues. In one text, she described filming as
“a really gross and disturbing shoot,”
emphasizing that this sentiment was shared by many involved.
She expressed blunt criticism of Baldoni’s character, stating,
“Justin is truly a false ally and I’m unwilling to do anything that promotes the image that he’s crafting as a ‘male feminist,’”
and added,
“Honestly I have no words to describe what a fraud he is.”
Slate further described her encounters with Baldoni in more scathing terms:
“I honestly have never ever encountered anything like this dude. He’s the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist. Lots of lessons learned!”
She recounted to her former agent in May 2023 that the production week was exceptionally difficult, noting,
“Justin and Jamey are truly unfit,”
and acknowledged Blake was enduring far greater challenges.
Highlighting the tension on set, Slate wrote,
“I feel like it’s about to get really bad and I’m not sure what Blake’s limit is but she’s really taken a lot of crap from them, like crazy shit, and I’m not kidding when I tell you that Justin and Jamey freak me out. Like they tell really weird lies and Justin is astoundingly wrongheaded.”
Slate also critically referenced Baldoni’s 2018 TED Talk on masculinity:
“I really don’t get how he did a TED Talk. He is worse than the bros I’ve encountered, not because he’s predatory but because of his general fragility and misogyny, like not seeming to be aware of any of the obvious no-nos.”
Taylor Swift’s Role and Exchanges in the Dispute
Taylor Swift’s involvement emerged due to her close friendship with Blake Lively and her purported knowledge of conversations about the workplace atmosphere on the It Ends With Us set. Baldoni claimed that Swift and Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, pressured him to alter film scenes, fueling further tension. A May subpoena attempt for Swift was publicly dismissed by her spokesperson as an attempt to garner tabloid attention rather than focus on the legal facts.
Among the newly revealed private texts, Swift sent Lively a message warning,
“I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin,”
accompanied by a screenshot of a People magazine article about Baldoni. At the same time, The New York Times was preparing to release an exposé on the escalating feud.
Lively responded thoughtfully to Baldoni’s actions, noting,
“It’s rings different when he doesn’t end the story by saying ‘Did I always listen when they said no? No.’ like he did with me. But that must not’ve tested well in the focus group.”
She added,
“He’s being honored at the vital voices for women event on Monday.”
Swift expressed disgust in private, writing,
“This is so disgusting, and I hate that he’s clever about this shit,”
while Lively explained the event honored men advancing gender equality:
“This inspiring event celebrates men who are using their platforms, influence and leadership to elevate women, combat gender-based violence and promote gender equality worldwide.”
Swift retorted sharply, “Well not him, her,” which Lively clarified by identifying Baldoni’s support network:
“He’s not. He just has a team. Yeah. Her. And his publicist Jennifer Abel. And the comms people at his studio.”
Later, Swift insisted,
“He needs to be beaten by his OWN words,”
underscoring the belief that Baldoni’s public persona conflicts with private behavior.
Lively seized on the hypocrisy, lamenting,
“Can you imagine feeling as confident as these predators that you’re going to always get away with it. Him accepting an award as an ally for women.”
Swift further condemned the public relations efforts, stating,
“And Scooter going about he world with his head held high as he co owns and funds a crisis PR company that silences women.”
Swift poignantly added,
“It’s like a horror film no one knows is taking place,”
to which Lively responded,
“Oh but they will. It’s the only thing that can come of this. The good that protects other women from this happening to them.”
Earlier messages from a year prior underscored Lively’s low opinion of Baldoni, calling him the “doofus director of my movie” and a
“clown who thinks he’s a writer now.”
Notably, Lively invited Swift’s feedback on script revisions while Baldoni was allegedly present in her home. During her deposition, Lively confirmed:
“I sent Taylor the script on her way to my apartment because Justin was still there, and I asked her to read them. I told her she didn’t have to, I didn’t want her to feel pressure to do that, but I hope that she would.”
Swift is said to have replied,
“I’ll do anything for you !!”
Lively later complimented Swift for her support, writing,
“You were so epically heroic today,”
and praised her for recounting the moments to Ryan Reynolds. Lively described how Baldoni was deceiving others while internalizing the hostility, stating:
“I kept remembering stuff- You making shit up about me and lenses. And referring to yourself as my doll. This clown falling for all of it. But also resisting it. You are the worlds absolute greatest friend ever.”
Impact of Unsealed Evidence and Upcoming Trial
The unsealing of text messages, emails, and depositions in this Blake Lively legal battle adds significant depth to the public’s understanding of the tensions on the It Ends With Us set and the nature of the accusations against Justin Baldoni. This disclosure brings Lively’s close confidantes, including Taylor Swift and Jenny Slate, into clearer focus as key figures in the unfolding narrative.
With the trial set for May 18, 2026, the evidence revealed so far suggests a contentious courtroom battle ahead, with Lively’s legal team aiming to substantiate claims of harassment, manipulation, and reputational damage. The case’s outcome may have broader implications concerning workplace conduct in the entertainment industry and the power dynamics faced by actors under influential directors and producers.
As public interest continues to grow, the saga illustrates the complexities of addressing alleged misconduct behind the scenes while navigating public perception and media scrutiny, especially when involved parties are high-profile celebrities like Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, and Ryan Reynolds.
