Blake Lively’s private text exchanges with Taylor Swift have surfaced as part of ongoing legal proceedings tied to It Ends With Us.
The messages, now public record, offer a raw glimpse into how the actress processed alleged workplace tensions with co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
A judge ruled the conversations between the longtime friends relevant to Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit.
What emerged paints a picture of frustration, support, and sharp-tongued commentary about events behind the scenes.
How Private Messages Became Court Evidence
Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, initially sought Swift’s text messages directly from the pop star herself. That effort collapsed when Baldoni withdrew his subpoena, instead pursuing the communications through standard discovery procedures with Lively.
Judge Liman determined the texts held relevance to Lively’s claims about working conditions on set. The decision opened a door that revealed deeply personal exchanges between two of entertainment’s most high-profile figures.
Baldoni attempted a countersuit alleging defamation by Lively and her circle, but those claims were dismissed as legally insufficient in mid-2025.
What the Texts Actually Say
Several message batches released this week showcase unfiltered language between friends processing difficult circumstances. Baldoni appears labeled with colorful descriptors including “doofus director,” “clown,” and “bitch” running alongside “a gaggle of supervillains.”
One December 2024 exchange marked “Exhibit 89” shows Swift apparently responding to favorable press coverage about Baldoni.
I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.
Swift’s assessment didn’t stop there. She characterized the broader situation as resembling “a horror film no one knows is taking place,” suggesting concerns about hidden dynamics playing out beyond public view.
A Moment of Friendship Under Strain
Not all messages focused on Baldoni. Earlier texts, portions redacted, captured tension within the friendship itself.
Lively apparently apologized for consuming Swift’s time and emotional bandwidth. Swift’s response revealed exhaustion across multiple life areas and acknowledged perceiving shifts in how Lively communicated with her.
No, you’re not wrong, but it’s also not a big deal. I think I’m just exhausted in every avenue of my life and in recent months had been feeling a little bit of a shift in the way you talk to me.
What followed appeared to be reconciliation laced with dark humor. Lively wrote about experiencing genuine psychological impact from events surrounding the film production.
This f—ing guy and what he did to me gave me an identity crisis. Legitimately. F— that guy and his whole gaggle of supervillains.
The Scooter Braun Connection
Lively expanded her legal strategy by serving a subpoena on music mogul Scooter Braun, whose name appears in the now-public texts. Braun’s history with Swift is well-documented and publicly contentious.
Lively sought information from Braun regarding an alleged public relations campaign orchestrated by The Agency Group PR. Braun’s company, HYBE America, reportedly holds a controlling stake in that firm.
The move suggests Lively believes coordinated efforts worked to shape public perception around It Ends With Us and the allegations she’s raised.
Swift Dodges Courtroom Appearance
Baldoni’s legal team pushed to depose Swift directly, hoping to question her under oath about conversations with Lively. That attempt failed in September when Judge Liman denied the request.
The ruling cited two key failures by Baldoni’s attorneys:
- Timing issues: Lawyers waited too long to schedule Swift’s deposition
- Insufficient justification: No compelling reason presented for extending deadlines
Swift avoided being pulled into court proceedings, though her words now serve as evidence anyway through the released text messages.
What These Messages Reveal About Workplace Dynamics
Beyond salacious quotes, the texts offer insight into how individuals process alleged harassment and retaliation in real time. Lively’s description of an “identity crisis” points to psychological effects that extend beyond professional disputes.
Swift’s characterization of events as a hidden horror film suggests perception of systematic issues rather than isolated incidents. The “gaggle of supervillains” language implies Lively felt surrounded by multiple hostile actors rather than facing a single antagonist.
Private communications between friends now serve dual purposes: evidence in legal proceedings and window into emotional reality behind public-facing disputes.
Legal Implications Moving Forward
With Baldoni’s defamation counterclaims dismissed and his attempts to depose Swift rejected, Lively’s harassment and retaliation case moves forward with her allegations at center stage.
The text messages establish a contemporaneous record of Lively discussing workplace concerns with a confidant. Such documentation often proves valuable in harassment cases where timing and consistency of complaints matter.
Whether these specific exchanges strengthen Lively’s legal position remains to be seen. Courts assess context, credibility, and corroborating evidence alongside private communications.
What’s certain: friendship texts never intended for public consumption now form part of a legal record that will follow all parties involved for years to come.