Taylor Swift Was Subpoenaed In The Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Legal Case, And Her Team Is Calling It "Tabloid Clickbait"
Context:
Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the legal case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which involves allegations of sexual harassment and defamation. Despite her name being mentioned in the legal documents, Swift's involvement with the film was limited to licensing her song 'My Tears Ricochet' for a trailer and scene, and her spokesperson has labeled the subpoena as 'tabloid clickbait'. Blake Lively had previously sued Baldoni over sexual harassment and a smear campaign, while Baldoni countersued for defamation. Blake's team criticized Baldoni for turning the case into media spectacle, suggesting it is being used to intimidate and shame women. The legal battle is set to go to trial in March 2026, and the controversy includes attempts to undermine a California victims' rights law as unconstitutional.
Dive Deeper:
Taylor Swift was subpoenaed in the legal case involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, despite her minimal involvement with the film 'It Ends With Us', which was limited to licensing a single song.
The legal battle began when Blake Lively sued Justin Baldoni in December 2024 for sexual harassment and engaging in a smear campaign, leading Baldoni to countersue for defamation and extortion in January 2025.
A key aspect of the controversy is the mention of Swift's name in Baldoni's defamation countersuit, where text messages reference 'Taylor', sparking speculation about her involvement.
Swift's spokesperson has strongly denied her participation in the film's production, emphasizing that she never visited the set, nor did she partake in any creative decisions related to the film.
Blake Lively's team criticized Baldoni and his legal team for their approach in handling the case, accusing them of turning it into a media circus and attempting to exploit Swift's celebrity status for attention.
The legal proceedings have also highlighted a broader issue, with accusations against Baldoni's team of trying to strike down a California victims' rights law, which they labeled as unconstitutional.
The high-profile case, which has drawn significant public interest, is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026, with both sides continuing to exchange public statements and allegations.