Taylor Swift will not be called as a witness in Blake Lively’s trial against Justin Baldoni, a source confirms. The decision underscores the legal team’s confidence in the unsealed text messages between Swift and Lively, which already speak volumes about the case.
Taylor Swift will not be called as a witness in Blake Lively’s ongoing legal battle against Justin Baldoni, a source connected to Baldoni’s legal team confirmed to Us Weekly. The decision comes as unsealed court documents reveal a series of text messages between Swift and Lively, which the legal team believes “speak for themselves.”
The case stems from Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni during the production of It Ends With Us, the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film, has vehemently denied the claims and filed a countersuit, which was dismissed in June 2025. Lively’s lawsuit is set to proceed to trial in May 2026.
The Legal Strategy Behind the Decision
The source cited the logistical challenges of serving Swift with a summons, calling it “next to impossible.” However, the primary reason for not calling Swift as a witness appears to be strategic. The unsealed text messages, which include Swift’s candid remarks about Baldoni and her support for Lively, provide compelling evidence without requiring her live testimony.
In one text, Swift allegedly referred to Baldoni as a “bitch” who “knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin,” accompanied by a link to a People article about Baldoni’s past trauma. These messages, exchanged during a pivotal meeting at Lively’s home, offer a raw glimpse into Swift’s perspective on the dispute and her unwavering support for her friend.
The Friendship Under Strain
The unsealed documents also reveal a growing rift between Swift and Lively, two of Hollywood’s most enduring friendships. In a December 2024 text, Lively expressed concern about their relationship, writing, “I felt like a bad friend lately because I was such a sad sack who only talked about my own s— for months.” Swift responded by acknowledging a shift in their dynamic, noting that Lively’s recent texts felt “like a mass corporate email sent to 200 employees.”
Lively attributed the change to her “digital paranoia” amid the lawsuit, explaining, “This f—ing guy and what he did to me gave me an identity crisis. Legitimately.” The texts underscore the emotional toll the legal battle has taken on Lively, who also lamented the loss of lifelong friendships during the ordeal.
Swift’s Limited Role in the Film
Swift’s involvement in It Ends With Us was minimal. A representative for the singer clarified that she “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.” Swift’s only connection to the project was her song “My Tears Ricochet,” which was featured in the film. She reportedly saw the movie weeks after its public release while touring for her record-breaking Eras Tour.
Despite her limited role, Swift’s friendship with Lively has placed her at the center of the legal drama. The unsealed texts confirm that Swift was a key confidante for Lively during the dispute, offering emotional support and strategic advice. However, the legal team’s decision to forgo her testimony suggests that the existing evidence is sufficient to bolster Lively’s claims.
What’s Next for the Trial?
With Swift’s testimony off the table, the focus shifts to the trial scheduled for May 2026. Lively’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, has emphasized the strength of the newly unsealed evidence, which includes testimony from Lively and other women detailing their experiences with Baldoni. McCawley stated, “The evidence includes Ms. Lively’s own testimony describing the harassment she faced, as well as new evidence from numerous women describing their own disturbing experiences.”
The trial promises to be a high-stakes affair, with implications for both Lively’s career and the broader conversation about harassment in Hollywood. For Swift, the decision to avoid the witness stand allows her to maintain her distance from the legal proceedings while still supporting her friend behind the scenes.
As the trial approaches, fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds—and whether the unsealed texts will be enough to sway the jury in Lively’s favor.
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