Latest news with #WayfarerFoundation
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift Free From Justin Baldoni Subpoena As Blake Lively Battle Heats Up
It seems Taylor Swift just had her "wildest dreams" come true: lawyers representing Justin Baldoni have dropped their subpoena against her, marking the latest update in his "It Ends With Us" lawsuit against costar Blake Lively. The "Look What You Made Me Do" singer's subpoena made headlines last week after Baldoni's team alleged that the "Gossip Girl" alum's lawyers had threatened to expose personal text messages from the singer in exchange for her public support. On May 22, Baldoni's legal team withdrew its subpoena against the 'Shake It Off' singer. Baldoni's lawyers had filed paperwork seeking information about how involved Swift was in the creation of the film, given speculation that she was involved in everything from script changes to casting. Deadline was the first to report the news, who noted that Swift's team responded to the legal update with 'no comment,' while they had yet to hear back from reps for Baldoni or Wayfarer Studios, who recently closed down their Wayfarer Foundation due to the mounting legal fees in their dueling lawsuits. As The Blast previously reported, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, argued in court papers that he had received a tip from a 'source who is highly likely to have reliable information' about Swift's involvement in the film. Freedman claimed that Lively's attorney contacted Swift's attorney and 'demanded that Ms. Swift release a statement of support for Ms. Lively,' as well as "intimating that if Ms. Swift refused to do so, private text messages of a personal nature in Ms. Lively's possession would be released." Freedman argued that 'those communications' would come to light with the subpoena, which has now been withdrawn. Mike Gottlieb, an attorney for Blake Lively, told PEOPLE magazine that Baldoni's allegations were 'categorically false,' adding, 'We unequivocally deny all of these so-called allegations, which are cowardly sourced to supposed anonymous sources, and completely untethered from reality.' He went on to say, 'This is what we have come to expect from the Wayfarer parties' lawyers, who appear to love nothing more than shooting first, without any evidence, and with no care for the people they are harming in the process. We will imminently file motions with the court to hold these attorneys accountable for their misconduct here.' In an August 2024 interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Lively thanked Swift for allowing her to use her song, 'My Tears Ricochet,' in the film's trailer and soundtrack. However, she also took things one step further, and insinuated that Swift's involvement extended just beyond her music. "She was with me throughout this whole process. So I think that, for better or worse, she, you know, experienced the whole thing with me," she said at the time. However, Swift's rep strongly denied the suggestion that the 'Love Story' singer was involved with the film shortly after news of the subpoena broke. "Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history," the singer's rep said in a statement. "The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, 'My Tears Ricochet,'' the statement continued. "Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift's name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case." It is unclear where their friendship currently stands. As The Blast previously reported, the "Cruel Summer" singer has reportedly 'halted' their friendship, with a source previously telling PEOPLE magazine, 'Taylor wants no part in this drama.' Other sources have indicated that, while they are still friends, they are "taking some space" as Lively's legal battle continues.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Baldoni's Lawyers Accuse Blake Lively's Lawyers of Extorting Taylor Swift
Days after a subpoena roped Taylor Swift into the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the latter's lawyers accused the actress' legal team of attempting to extort a public statement out of the singer. According to a letter filed Wednesday in court by Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman, Lively's lawyer Michael Gottlieb allegedly demanded, via Swift's law firm Venable, 'that Ms. Swift release a statement of support for Ms. Lively, intimating that, if Ms. Swift refused to do so, private text messages of a personal nature' would be released to the public. More from Rolling Stone Taylor Swift Lawyers Fight Justin Baldoni Subpoena in Blake Lively Case Taylor Swift Rep Slams Singer's Subpoena in Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal Battle Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation Shuts Down Amid Blake Lively Legal Battle Freedman claimed that a rep for Swift 'addressed these inappropriate and apparently extortionate threats,' which reflect an alleged pattern of intimidating and coercing witnesses by Lively's legal team, the letter stated. In response to Friedman's letter, Gottlieb said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter that the accusations were 'categorically false. 'We unequivocally deny all of these so-called allegations, which are cowardly sourced to supposed anonymous sources, and completely untethered from reality,' Gottlieb continued. 'This is what we have come to expect from the Wayfarer parties' lawyers, who appear to love nothing more than shooting first, without any evidence, and with no care for the people they are harming in the process. We will imminently file motions with the court to hold these attorneys accountable for their misconduct here.' Swift's law firm, Venable, previously called the subpoena an 'abuse of the discovery process,' meant to distract from the case.' 'Venable had nothing to do with the film at issue or any of the claims or defenses asserted in the underlying lawsuit,' wrote the firm in a motion on Monday. 'There is no reason for this subpoena other than to distract from the facts of the case and impose undue burden and expense on a non-party.' Last week, Swift's spokesperson slammed the singer's involvement, telling Rolling Stone that Swift's connection to It Ends With Us was limited to licensing her song 'My Tears Ricochet.' 'Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film,' the spokesperson said. Baldoni has been in a legal battle with Lively since December, when she sued him for alleged sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Baldoni has since denied the allegations and countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging civil extortion and defamation. Lively's case will go to trial in March 2026. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Baldoni Makes a Move Amid Blake Lively Legal Battle
Justin Baldoni has decided to shut down his Wayfarer Foundation. The news was announced on May 3 with a lengthy Instagram post. Followers didn't hear the update from Baldoni though, it was founder Steve Sarowitz who revealed it instead. 'Over the past four years, Wayfarer Foundation has supported dozens of grantee partners in fulfilling their missions,' Sarowitz wrote in the caption about the charitable organization founded in 2016. 'I am so incredibly proud of the impact this organization has made and deeply grateful for our staff, board, donors, and partners.' He noted that the "unanimous decision" was made by "the board of directors" and that they are beginning the "process of sunsetting the Foundation." Sarowitz added, "We will honor all of our current grant commitments as we carefully wind down operations over the next several weeks. Although the Wayfarer Foundation is closing, my personal commitment to giving remains strong, and I'm dedicated to making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work." "We understand that this news may come as a surprise, and we will be actively working over the next several weeks to ensure all matters are concluded with care and attention," the message concluded. There was no reason given for the shutdown, but the closure happened amid Baldoni's lengthy legal battle with former It Ends With Us co-star, Blake Lively. Sarowitz was also named in her lawsuit when she claimed he told an unnamed person at the film's August 2024 premiere that he was "prepared to spend $100 million to ruin the lives of Ms. Lively and her family.' Baldoni has denied all sexual harassment allegations. The director is suing Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for $400 million, citing "civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy." Baldoni and Lively are scheduled for trial on March 9, 2026.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift Rep Slams Singer's Subpoena in Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
Taylor Swift is being further pulled into the legal drama between Justin Baldoni and her friend Blake Lively. Earlier on Friday, news reports confirmed the rumor that Swift was going to be subpoenaed in Baldoni and Lively's lawsuit. Now, the singer's spokesperson slammed the subpoena, telling Rolling Stone that Swift's connection to the It Ends With Us drama was limited to licensing one song. 'Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film,' the spokesperson said, adding, 'She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024, headlining the biggest tour in history.' More from Rolling Stone Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation Shuts Down Amid Blake Lively Legal Battle A Book About the 'Strategic Genius' of Taylor Swift Shoots to Top of Music Business Charts Blake Lively Reflects on 'Intense Year' in First TV Interview Since Justin Baldoni Lawsuit The statement slightly contradicts a statement Baldoni made earlier in the case, claiming that during a meeting at Lively's Tribeca penthouse to discuss a scene rewrite, a famous celebrity — later revealed to be Swift — happened to stop by and advocated for Lively's writing. Later, according to a text message included in Baldoni's lawsuit, Lively called Reynolds and Swift her 'dragons,' in reference to Game of Thrones. In previous filings, Baldoni's team suggested that Swift might have knowledge of Lively's views on the lawsuit and relevant events in the feud. It Ends With Us actress Isabela Ferrer also previously told Extra that Swift had helped get her the role as the younger version of Lively's character in the film. ('She was a helpful part of the process of the audition… which rocked my world,' Ferrer said on the red carpet for the film.) 'The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, 'My Tears Ricochet,'' the Swift spokesperson reiterated in Friday's statement, referring to the Folklore track featured in the movie. 'Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift's name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.' (Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, did not immediately reply to Rolling Stone's request for comment.) Baldoni has been in a legal battle with Lively since December, when she sued him for alleged sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Baldoni has since denied the allegations and countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging civil extortion and defamation. Lively's case will go to trial in March 2026. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation closing amid Blake Lively lawsuits
Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation has come to an end amid the actor-director's legal battle with Blake Lively, who has accused him of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign — all of which he adamantly denies. The charitable subset of Wayfarer Studios announced its decision to close in a statement on its website from billionaire co-founder Steve Sarowitz. Both he and the 'Jane the Virgin' alum adhere to the Bahá'í faith, a cornerstone of Wayfarer. Insiders told TMZ that the move comes as Baldoni and Sarowitz deal with the financial and emotional impact of the lawsuits both from and against Lively, who starred with Baldoni in last summer's hit film 'It Ends With Us.' In a statement on the foundation's site, Sarowitz shared that the board unanimously decided last Friday to start 'the process of sunsetting the Foundation.' The Paylocity co-founder clarified the foundation will 'honor all … current grant commitments' and that he himself maintains his personal commitment to 'making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work.' Wayfarer endeavored to promote economic prosperity, gender equality, racial justice, universal education and the arts, among other causes, according to its website. Lively first leveled her allegations against Baldoni in December, coinciding with a New York Times deep-dive into her claims of sexual harassment and a crisis PR campaign known as astroturfing. On New Year's Eve, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times. The following month, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, also accusing them of civil extortion. The case is scheduled to go to trial in New York next March.
