Los Angeles, California — Taylor Swift has been pulled into a high-profile legal dispute involving director Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively in the wake of the film “It Ends With Us.” While Swift’s name appears as part of this unfolding drama, a spokesperson for the artist denies any substantial connection to the movie beyond the licensing of her song “My Tears Ricochet” for use in the trailer and a scene.
In a statement, the spokesperson clarified that Swift had no creative involvement in the film’s production. “Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie,” the representative stated, emphasizing that she was not part of casting or scoring, did not view the film until weeks after its release, and was touring internationally during much of the film’s production.
The subpoena issued to Swift connects to Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit filed earlier this year. Allegations in the suit include that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, undermined Baldoni’s reputation with false accusations. Baldoni is seeking $400 million in damages, claiming that the couple tried to manipulate the movie’s direction and hurt his public image.
While Swift is not named in the lawsuit, her first name was mentioned in a message between Baldoni and Lively. This message pertains to a rooftop scene which Lively reportedly reworked. According to the complaint, Lively invited Baldoni to her New York City penthouse, where he felt pressured by the presence of Reynolds and the unnamed “megacelebrity friend”—interpreted to be Swift.
Baldoni conveyed his appreciation for Lively’s work on the scene, stating in his text message, “Makes it so much more fun and interesting. You really are a talent across the board.” This interaction has been cited as evidence in the ongoing case.
Following this exchange, Lively referenced both Reynolds and Swift in a text, portraying herself as powerful and influential. She likened her situation to that of Khaleesi from “Game of Thrones,” suggesting she has strong allies. She remarked, “My dragons also protect those I fight for,” indicating that their support would benefit Baldoni as well.
Amid the complexities of the lawsuit, Swift’s representative dismissed the subpoena as a publicity stunt aimed at sensationalizing the case. The spokesperson pointed out that Swift’s role was limited to song licensing, shared by 19 other artists, and decried the use of her name as a means to generate media attention.
Despite these denials, there are conflicting claims regarding Swift’s involvement. Isabela Ferrer, another actress from “It Ends With Us,” revealed that she learned Swift played a supportive role in her casting after the fact, raising questions about the extent of Swift’s influence in the film’s production process.
The legal disputes among Baldoni, Lively, and Reynolds began last December when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging sexual harassment by Baldoni. This allegation led Baldoni to sue a publication for $250 million, claiming defamation. Subsequently, Lively retaliated with her own lawsuit against Baldoni for alleged violations of federal and state law. The situation escalated, culminating in Baldoni’s $400 million defamation suit filed in January.
In the backdrop of these legal battles, both Reynolds and Lively have moved to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, arguing that it constitutes retaliation for Lively’s original harassment claim, thus complicating an already messy situation.