In a dramatic development that continues to shake the entertainment world, Blake Lively has faced another legal setback in her high-profile dispute with actor and director Justin Baldoni. The latest twist involves Lively’s former close friend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, whose private text exchanges with the actress are now set to be examined as part of an ongoing legal battle.

According to sources, Lively’s legal team had recently filed a motion for a protective order to prevent the disclosure of her communications with Swift. However, this attempt was denied by a New York judge, effectively allowing Baldoni’s team access to messages exchanged between the two celebrities. The communications are expected to focus on matters related to the film “It Ends With Us,” a project that both Lively and Baldoni were heavily involved in.

The situation has reportedly placed strain on Lively and Swift’s long-standing friendship. Once known for their close bond—Swift is even the godmother to Lively’s children—the two now find themselves caught in a web of legal and personal tension.

Court documents reveal that Baldoni’s legal team is pursuing communications that they believe could be critical in supporting their case. Though a previous subpoena directed at Swift was withdrawn, her father, Scott Swift, allegedly provided relevant information voluntarily in a bid to shield his daughter from deeper involvement in the matter.

Sources claim that the elder Swift’s cooperation came after concerns that Lively’s legal team might try to pressure Taylor into releasing a public statement in her friend’s defense. Baldoni’s team argued that Lively’s attorneys suggested they would release private messages unless Swift spoke out—a move that was described in court filings as coercive. Lively’s camp has strongly denied any allegations of wrongdoing, calling such suggestions “categorically false.”

Nevertheless, the tension has only grown more intense. The situation became public when Baldoni’s legal filing included alleged text messages in which Lively referred to herself as “Khaleesi”—a nod to the Game of Thrones character—and to Swift as one of her “dragons,” in what appears to be a display of bravado during internal discussions about the film project.

One of the most talked-about elements of the case is Swift’s presence at a meeting reportedly held at Lively’s New York residence to discuss script changes for the film. Sources close to Swift have insisted she was unaware of the meeting’s purpose and had simply arrived to find it already underway. The incident has reportedly left the singer feeling “exploited” and increasingly distant from her once-close friend.

The situation has had broader consequences as well. Swift’s boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, reportedly unfollowed Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, on Instagram. Supermodel Gigi Hadid—another close friend of Swift—has also reportedly distanced herself from Lively in a show of support.

Scott Swift, long recognized for managing his daughter’s financial affairs, reportedly stepped in out of concern for Taylor’s well-being and to help ensure she would not be drawn further into a legal process she had no interest in joining. Last year, Scott was involved in another public incident in Australia, where he was accused of shoving a photographer. Charges were not filed.

The larger legal battle dates back to December, when Lively accused Baldoni—her co-star and the director of “It Ends With Us”—of serious workplace misconduct. Baldoni responded with a \$400 million countersuit, accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation, as well as civil extortion and invasion of privacy. Though a judge recently dismissed the defamation aspect, the other claims are still under review.

Lively’s representatives argue that Baldoni’s legal team has been persistently trying to use Swift’s celebrity status to shift focus away from the central issues of the case. In a statement, Lively’s spokesperson said: “We will continue to call out Mr. Baldoni’s relentless efforts to exploit Ms. Swift’s popularity, which from day one has been nothing more than a distraction from the serious allegations he and the Wayfarer parties are facing.”

The spokesperson went on to highlight that Lively has produced more documents in the case than the opposing parties combined, noting that the court’s protective order ruling was based on the fact that Baldoni’s team admitted they did not obtain information directly from Swift.

Still, Baldoni’s legal filings referenced a crisis PR document from as far back as August 2024, in which Swift’s fan base was described as a target for influence. The document, prepared by PR strategist Melissa Nathan, reportedly suggested strategies to shape the narrative by leveraging Swift’s popularity, further entangling the pop star in the courtroom drama.

The legal firestorm continues to escalate, with the release of personal texts now imminent. What was once a private friendship between two influential women has now become a focal point in a very public and contentious legal case. As proceedings move forward, both sides remain adamant in their positions, and the involvement of high-profile figures like Taylor Swift adds even greater scrutiny to an already complicated situation.

Though all parties involved have denied the allegations leveled against them, the case continues to reveal more about the breakdown of celebrity relationships and the delicate balance of trust in high-stakes legal environments.

What began as a dispute over a film project has evolved into a broader conflict, drawing in some of Hollywood’s most recognizable names and raising questions about loyalty, privacy, and the boundaries of professional and personal connections. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the fallout from this lawsuit will be felt far beyond the courtroom.