Taylor Swift Pulled Into Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal War as Judge Orders Release of Private Texts

In a legal twist that’s sending shockwaves through Hollywood, global superstar Taylor Swift has been dragged into a sexual harassment lawsuit involving her longtime friend Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni. A federal judge ruled this week that Lively must turn over her private text message exchanges with Swift to Baldoni’s legal team—a move that could have major implications for the high-profile case.

While Swift is not a party to the lawsuit, the ruling opens the door for her personal communications to be used as potential evidence in a court battle she has tried to avoid. According to a source close to the matter, Swift is “not happy” about being involuntarily roped into the case and is reportedly doing everything possible to remain uninvolved.

The legal feud centers around allegations made by Blake Lively, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni last year. She claims that Baldoni created a toxic and intimidating environment during the production of a still-unnamed project. Baldoni has denied all accusations and countered by accusing Lively of attempting to wrest control of the production.

As part of Baldoni’s defense, his legal team successfully petitioned the court to compel Lively to produce her text conversations with Taylor Swift. According to legal analysts, the defense is hoping these messages will show that Lively was not the victim she claims to be but instead may have been orchestrating behind-the-scenes power plays—including possible discussions with Swift about taking over the project.

“There may be instances where Taylor and Blake were discussing Blake’s role in the production—possibly even strategizing,” said a source familiar with the legal strategy. “That’s what Justin’s team is looking for: any communication that could help undermine Blake’s credibility or support their argument that she was the aggressor.”

Still, those expecting a public leak of Taylor Swift’s messages may be disappointed. All parties are currently bound by a strict protective order, meaning any evidence obtained during the discovery phase is prohibited from being disclosed to the public or media. That includes the 168 pages of emails, screenshots, and messages already shared between the parties in the earlier phases of the lawsuit.

“The judge made it clear: what’s produced in discovery stays sealed,” a legal expert told ET. “But that doesn’t mean Swift is off the hook. She could still be called to testify.”

Indeed, there’s growing speculation that Swift could eventually be asked to sit for a deposition—or worse, testify in open court. While no formal subpoena has been issued as of yet, legal insiders say the odds of Swift being pulled further into the proceedings are rising, especially if the case proceeds to trial as scheduled next year.

A close friend of the singer revealed that Swift feels “betrayed” by being pulled into the mess. “Taylor and Blake have been close for over a decade, but Taylor never expected her name—or private conversations—to be used in this way,” the source said. “At the time Blake mentioned her, she was just trying to show that she had powerful allies. Now it’s coming back to haunt her.”

The last public sighting of Swift and Lively together was back in October, during a double date in New York’s SoHo neighborhood with Ryan Reynolds and Swift’s then-partner. Since then, the once-inseparable friends have not been seen together, raising questions about the current state of their relationship.

Meanwhile, Baldoni has remained publicly silent, spending time with his wife and children in Costa Rica. Insiders say his team is quietly confident that the new evidence will shift the narrative in their favor.

“This case was always going to be explosive,” said one entertainment attorney. “But with Taylor Swift’s name now officially in the mix, the stakes just got much higher—for everyone.”

The trial is set to begin next year. Until then, one thing is certain: Taylor Swift, despite her efforts to remain on the sidelines, has become an unwilling—and potentially pivotal—figure in one of Hollywood’s most closely watched legal battles.