Blake Lively breaks silence as Justin Baldoni drops Taylor Swift subpoena in explosive $400 million lawsuit
In a legal battle that reads like the script of a thriller, actress
Blake Lively
has finally spoken out after co-star
Justin Baldoni
abruptly withdrew a subpoena aimed at global pop sensation
Taylor Swift
. The move comes amid a spiraling $400 million lawsuit tied to allegations of
sexual harassment
and
defamation
that have left both Hollywood and fans stunned.
Taylor Swift Dragged Into the Crossfire
Earlier this month, Swift's name unexpectedly surfaced in the contentious legal feud between Lively and Baldoni — both of whom starred in the 2024 adaptation of
It Ends With Us
, based on
Colleen Hoover
's bestselling novel. Baldoni's legal team had issued a formal subpoena to Swift, attempting to pull the music icon into the fray, despite her having no involvement in the film's production.
Swift's team swiftly hit back, stating the singer had been 'used to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.' They clarified that she had zero input in the film's creative direction and only viewed the final cut weeks after its public release, having spent the better part of 2023 and 2024 headlining the record-breaking
Eras Tour
.
— PopBase (@PopBase)
Blake Lively Speaks Out
Blake Lively's camp didn't hold back either. Her representatives accused Baldoni and
Wayfarer Studios
co-founder Steve Sarowitz of turning a serious sexual harassment and retaliation case into media spectacle. 'The defendants continue to publicly intimidate, bully, shame and attack women's rights and reputations,' they said in a strong statement, calling out efforts to challenge key victim protection laws in California.
The recent withdrawal of Swift's subpoena was seen as a legal and moral victory by Lively's team, who confirmed the development to
PEOPLE
. 'We're pleased Baldoni's team has dropped their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm,' they noted. They also expressed support for Swift's legal team's efforts to quash what they deemed 'inappropriate' legal tactics.
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A Lawsuit Worth $400 Million — and Counting
This legal melee began in December 2024 when Lively filed a civil complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign through his public relations team. The case was first lodged with the California Civil Rights Department before being moved to federal court.
Baldoni countered by filing a staggering $400 million defamation lawsuit, not just against Lively, but also her husband, actor
Ryan Reynolds
. Since then, the dispute has escalated rapidly, with both camps digging in and media outlets closely tracking every twist and turn.
A Story Bigger Than a Lawsuit
While Taylor Swift may no longer be part of the court proceedings, her brief involvement underscores how high-profile the case has become. Lively's team insists that the attempt to bring Swift into the battle was always a distraction from the core allegations.
As Blake Lively continues to press forward with her claims and Baldoni fights back with legal firepower, this courtroom drama seems far from over. With reputations, rights, and hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, all eyes remain fixed on what happens next.
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