Taylor Swift has been unexpectedly pulled into the escalating legal drama between It Ends With Us stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Though she had no creative or production involvement in the film, Swift has been issued a subpoena, a move her team has labeled an attempt to manufacture “tabloid clickbait.”
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A spokesperson for Swift emphasized she never visited the set, had no role in casting, editing, or scoring, and didn’t even view the final film until weeks after its release. Her only connection to the project was permitting the use of her song “My Tears Ricochet”—a licensing decision made alongside 19 other artists. “This document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest… instead of focusing on the facts of the case,” the statement read.
Celebrity Circle Draws Attention
Alongside Swift, actor Hugh Jackman has reportedly also been considered for subpoena, though sources close to the case call it an unnecessary distraction. “Anyone that had any knowledge of this situation will be subpoenaed, no matter their celebrity status,” a source told People magazine.
However, another insider disputes this narrative, saying neither Swift nor Jackman are “privy to anything going on” and called the legal maneuvering an effort to “distract from the allegations against Baldoni.”
Blake Lively’s attorney, Mike Gottlieb, supported that view, stating: “You can’t just go around subpoenaing people because they’re famous… The federal courts don’t tolerate that kind of behavior.”
Harassment and Retaliation vs. Defamation
At the heart of the legal dispute are serious allegations. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, unprofessional conduct on set, and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign against her. These claims were initially filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024 and then escalated into a lawsuit shortly after.
In response, Baldoni launched a $400 million countersuit, naming not only Lively but also her husband Ryan Reynolds. The countersuit includes allegations of defamation and extortion, citing private text messages and public statements as evidence. One such message from Baldoni to Lively included a reference to Swift: “I really love what you did… Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor),” he wrote, followed by a wink emoji.
Lively to Testify, Reynolds’ Involvement Unclear
Lively is set to take the stand when the case goes to trial on March 9, 2026. According to her legal team, she is committed to the process. “Of course [Blake] is going to testify,” said Gottlieb. Meanwhile, Reynolds’ role in the upcoming proceedings remains unclear.
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Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, claimed Lively “used her Dragons to manipulate Justin at every turn,” referring to her circle of powerful friends. In contrast, Gottlieb reaffirmed their commitment to facts over spectacle: “We don’t expect this case is going to turn into a circus.” As the legal showdown looms, both sides appear to be bracing for a high-profile battle—one now amplified by the glare of celebrity association.