The longtime friendship between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively may be hitting a rough patch due to Lively’s high-profile legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. And in the midst of this feud, mutual friend Gigi Hadid is reportedly drifting closer to Swift — not out of spite, but because of the evolving dynamics in their relationships, according to insiders.
A Friendship Under Strain
Blake Lively and Taylor Swift have long been considered one of Hollywood’s closest duos. Over the years, they’ve been spotted attending red carpets, family getaways, and each other’s private events. But that bond now appears to be under pressure, especially since December 2024, when Blake Lively filed a serious sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
According to court filings obtained by The Australian, Lively accused Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment during the film’s production. In response, Baldoni filed a massive $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist. His legal team accused them of defamation and civil extortion — alleging that the sexual harassment claims were fabricated to damage his reputation and career.
The legal showdown quickly turned messy and public, with both parties fiercely defending their reputations. Caught in the crossfire? Taylor Swift — a globally recognized pop icon and close friend to both parties.
Taylor Swift’s Role in the Film and Legal Saga
While Taylor Swift was not directly involved in the making of It Ends With Us, her connection to the film was not insignificant. Her song “My Tears Ricochet” appeared on the soundtrack, and according to some reports, Swift gave personal encouragement to Lively when the project began. However, Swift’s team has stated clearly that the singer had “no involvement” in the film’s casting, production, or creative direction.
Still, Baldoni’s legal team issued a subpoena to Swift earlier this year, alleging she was among those who privately pressured Baldoni to make script changes. In a statement to media outlets including People and The Australian, Swift’s spokesperson pushed back, stating that the singer “never set foot on the set,” “was not involved in casting or creative decisions,” and “did not even see the film until it was released to the public.”
Swift was in the middle of her Eras Tour during this time, which reportedly kept her away from the legal chaos — but the subpoena itself marked a turning point in her relationship with Lively.
Allegations of Pressure and Legal Tensions
Things escalated even further when Baldoni’s legal team accused Lively’s camp of trying to force Swift to publicly support Lively. According to documents filed in court, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, alleged that a member of Lively’s legal team contacted Swift’s attorneys, hinting that if Swift didn’t issue a statement of support, private messages involving Swift could be made public.
Swift’s lawyers denied any such exchange ever happened. Lively’s representatives also called the claims “unequivocally and demonstrably false” and “an outrageous fabrication.” A federal judge later dismissed the claims against Swift, describing them as “scandalous” and warning Baldoni’s legal team against using the courts to damage reputations without evidence.
Still, despite being cleared, the incident may have left Swift cautious about remaining closely associated with the legal drama.
Gigi Hadid Caught in the Middle
Gigi Hadid, the world-renowned supermodel and one of Swift’s closest friends for over a decade, appears to be quietly distancing herself from Blake Lively in the wake of the controversy. Though Hadid has also been friendly with Lively in the past — attending birthday parties and fashion events together — multiple sources told Us Weekly and Page Six that Hadid has not been in regular contact with Lively this year.
“She’s always had a closer friendship with Taylor and stands by her,” one insider shared, adding that Hadid’s loyalty to Swift has been consistent over the years. Another source emphasized that the decision wasn’t about taking sides but reflected the reality of how Hadid’s relationships have naturally evolved, especially amid the lawsuit.
Interestingly, Hadid reportedly met Blake Lively through Swift, further emphasizing how Swift has been a central figure in both friendships. But insiders say Lively and Hadid “haven’t been as close in almost a year,” and that there are “no hard feelings” — just a natural shift due to the intense legal situation.
Lively Absent from Hadid’s Birthday — A Telling Sign?
One of the biggest signs of changing dynamics was Lively’s absence from Gigi Hadid’s 30th birthday celebration back in April 2025. The milestone event, attended by several celebrities including Swift, was seen by many fans as a subtle confirmation that Lively may be losing her place in this particular friendship circle.
Observers on social media and in the entertainment press noted that Hadid and Swift have been spending more time together, while Lively has not been seen publicly with either woman for months.
Looking Ahead: The Legal Battle Continues
The legal proceedings between Lively and Baldoni are expected to continue well into 2026. A court date has been scheduled for March 2026, and further subpoenas may be issued in the coming months. If that happens, even more celebrity names could be dragged into the headlines.
While Blake Lively has remained mostly silent on the public stage since filing her lawsuit, she’s reportedly preparing for a courtroom showdown that could define her career moving forward. Justin Baldoni, on the other hand, has continued promoting his other projects while defending himself in the media and court documents.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has returned to her tour performances and has not commented publicly on her friendship with Lively. Gigi Hadid, too, has refrained from making any direct statements — but her social presence and event attendance suggest her priorities are aligned with Swift for now.
This situation underscores how fragile even the most high-profile friendships can become when legal battles and public scrutiny come into play. In Hollywood, relationships are often influenced not just by loyalty but by the risks of legal exposure and public image. While Hadid’s shift may not be a hard “taking sides,” it reflects a broader lesson about boundaries — especially when reputation, lawsuits, and subpoenas collide.
As the Lively vs. Baldoni trial approaches, it remains to be seen how many more relationships will be tested, or how much more fallout will surface beyond the courtroom.
The Information is collected from Yahoo and Fox News.
