A federal judge has denied a last-minute effort by Justin Baldoni’s legal team to force Taylor Swift to give testimony in the lawsuit filed by Blake Lively. The decision underscores the court’s view that there is insufficient justification for involving Swift, who her attorneys say has no meaningful connection to the case.
What the Case Is About
Blake Lively, in December 2024, filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and his company, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of It Ends With Us. Baldoni, in turn, countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, though that countersuit was later dismissed. Key to much of the dispute are claims Lively made about workplace dynamics, behavior on set, and a supposed campaign to undermine her.
Amid all this, Baldoni’s team sought to include Taylor Swift in the discovery process, citing private text messages and statements where Swift’s name was reportedly mentioned. Baldoni’s attorneys argued Swift should be deposed, claiming she had agreed to appear in October due to her busy schedule earlier in the litigation.
What Swift’s Lawyers Say
Taylor Swift’s legal team strongly disputes that she ever agreed to a deposition. According to Swift’s counsel:
- She “did not agree” to being deposed, and only recently learned of the renewed request.
- Her lawyers maintain she has no material role in the legal claims or defenses of the case.
- They indicated that if the court orders it, Swift could be available for a deposition during the week of October 20, 2025, but only under compulsion—not by voluntary agreement.
Judge’s Decision
The judge rejected Baldoni’s six-month-late request to depose Swift, citing a lack of diligence. Key points in the ruling include:
- Discovery in the case has been ongoing for around six months.
- No new subpoena for Swift had been served in the recent effort.
- The justification for the extension offered by Baldoni’s team rested mainly on Swift’s prior professional obligations—which the court found inadequate as sole reason for delay.
Because Baldoni’s side did not show sufficient justification or early action, the judge held that compelling Swift’s deposition would be improper given the timing and lack of evidence.
Implications
- Swift’s name had been tied into the case through references to private messages and earlier assertions, but this ruling keeps her formally out of the deposition process—at least for now.
- The denial helps preserve the trial schedule, which is set to begin in March 2026, by preventing late-stage deposition requests from derailing the discovery timeline.
- It also raises scrutiny about whether Swift was being drawn into the dispute largely for publicity. Lively’s legal team has criticized Baldoni’s side for what they call a pattern of trying to use Swift’s name as a tool for media attention.
Takeaway
A judge’s ruling has, for now, blocked Justin Baldoni’s attempt to depose Taylor Swift, saying there wasn’t enough evidence or timely action to warrant her being dragged into the case this late. Swift’s lawyers continue to assert she has no substantive role in the legal claims, and her involvement remains limited unless the court demands otherwise.
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