Pop icon Taylor Swift has been formally subpoenaed in the growing legal feud between actor-director Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively regarding the drama surrounding the production of the upcoming film It Ends With Us. The subpoena, served by Baldoni’s legal team, has added another high-profile twist to a case that already includes some of the most powerful names in entertainment — including actor Ryan Reynolds and even the New York Times.
While Swift is not named as a defendant in any of the lawsuits, her name surfaces in critical text messages and claims submitted as part of Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit, which he filed in January 2025. According to filings reviewed by Variety and People, the singer is believed to be the unnamed “megacelebrity friend” referenced in the original complaint, with implications that she was allegedly used to influence creative direction on the film.
Swift’s Limited Involvement: Just a Song – Not the Film
A representative for Taylor Swift immediately pushed back on the subpoena and her reported “involvement” in the dispute, calling it a publicity move aimed at hijacking her name for tabloid attention. In a strongly worded statement issued to Variety, the spokesperson clarified that Swift had no direct involvement in the film’s production, casting, or editing:
“Taylor Swift 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. In fact, she didn’t even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release and was on a global tour during the entirety of 2023 and 2024.”
The only official link Swift has to the film is the licensing of her song “My Tears Ricochet,” which was used in both the film’s trailer and one pivotal scene. Her team emphasized that over 19 other artists had also licensed music for the project — and that Swift’s contribution was purely contractual.
Why Taylor Swift Is Being Dragged In
The subpoena is based on text messages and contextual evidence provided in Baldoni’s countersuit. According to documents filed in court, the conflict allegedly centers on a revised rooftop scene in the film, where Blake Lively reportedly reworked portions of the script. Baldoni claims he was called to Lively and Reynolds’ New York penthouse where the scene was discussed.
It was there, Baldoni says, that Ryan Reynolds and an unnamed “megacelebrity friend” (implied to be Swift) praised Lively’s revised version of the script. Feeling cornered, Baldoni alleges that he texted Lively afterward to appease her and maintain professionalism.
One of the quoted texts reads:
“Also was working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does [help] a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor). You really are a talent across the board. Really excited [and] grateful to do this together.”
This message — which explicitly names “Taylor” — is one of the key reasons Baldoni’s attorneys are seeking Swift’s testimony or documents. They argue she may have been part of a coordinated effort to marginalize Baldoni from his directorial authority over the film, which is adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
Lively’s Alleged “Dragon” Texts and Swift’s Symbolic Role
In addition to the rooftop script incident, the lawsuit also references a series of text messages from Blake Lively, in which she compares herself to Daenerys Targaryen (Khaleesi) from Game of Thrones — a symbolic protector of power and authority.
One message reads:
“My dragons also protect those I fight for. So really, we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.”
This cryptic reference, when viewed in context of the earlier “Taylor” mention and the presence of Ryan Reynolds, is interpreted by Baldoni’s team as a warning and as evidence of a power alliance involving Swift, Lively, and Reynolds. While not legally implicating Swift in any wrongdoing, her presence in these texts is being framed as influential.
Swift’s Team Fires Back: “Clickbait and Publicity Stunt”
Swift’s camp swiftly and sharply rebuked the idea that the singer had any role beyond song licensing. In an official statement, her spokesperson stated:
“This document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”
They went on to denounce the filing as a blatant attempt to exploit Swift’s global fame for media coverage — especially considering she is currently headlining the record-breaking Eras Tour, which spans more than 150 cities globally between 2023 and 2025.
Adding to the web of claims is a statement
Isabela Ferrer’s Casting: Another Swift Connection?
by actress Isabela Ferrer, who plays the younger version of Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, in the film. In an interview with Extra, Ferrer said she later learned that Swift had indirectly helped her land the role, though she was not aware of this during her audition.
This revelation adds another layer to the debate over Swift’s informal influence on the film’s production — even if no official involvement was ever documented.
How It All Started: Lively’s Harassment Allegations
The entire legal conflict began in December 2024, when Blake Lively submitted a formal complaint to the California Civil Rights Department. In the letter, she accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment, as well as coordinating a smear campaign against her following their time on set.
In response, Baldoni sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their longtime publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation, professional sabotage, and creating a toxic narrative to destroy his career. The countersuit demands a staggering $400 million in damages.
The lawsuit also follows a $250 million libel suit Baldoni filed against the New York Times on December 31, 2024, claiming the paper published false allegations that painted him as a predator without verifying facts.
Legal Maneuvers, Celebrity Witnesses, and Trial Timeline
Attorneys for Lively and Reynolds have filed motions to dismiss the defamation lawsuit, arguing that Baldoni’s claims are retaliatory and intended to silence a woman who came forward with serious allegations. Baldoni’s team counters that Lively’s complaint was coordinated to preemptively damage his name ahead of the film’s release.
The federal trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026, in the Southern District of New York. Given U.S. federal court rules, the proceedings — including any testimony from Swift — will not be televised.
Sources close to the case suggest that other celebrities may also be subpoenaed, including Hugh Jackman, who has long-standing personal and professional relationships with both Reynolds and Lively.
A Hollywood Legal Battle With Global Spotlight
This case — blending accusations of sexual harassment, artistic conflict, defamation, and celebrity dynamics — is quickly becoming one of the most high-profile and media-scrutinized legal showdowns in modern Hollywood history.
Whether or not Taylor Swift takes the witness stand, her name’s presence in the case underlines the power of celebrity influence — and how easily it can be invoked in legal fights with global consequences.
The Information is Collected from CBS News and NBC News.
