Latest news with #WayfarerStudios
Yahoo
5 days ago
- 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 Freedman argued that 'those communications' would come to light with the subpoena, which has now been withdrawn.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
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Baldoni drops Taylor Swift investigation in shocking move as Blake Lively legal battle rages on
Justin Baldoni and his legal team dropped Taylor Swift's subpoena amid his ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively, Page Six can confirm. The probe against the pop star, 35, was halted after the 'It Ends With Us' director and his legal team obtained details they wanted, Deadline reported Thursday. No further information was provided. Page Six has reached out to Baldoni's reps for comment. Meanwhile, a source cryptically tells us of the matter, 'When information is voluntarily received, there is no need for subpoenas.' Lively's rep, for their part, told Deadline in response to the decision, 'We are pleased that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties have withdrawn their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm. 'We supported the efforts of Taylor's team to quash these inappropriate subpoenas directed to her counsel and we will continue to stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process.' The rep went on to slam Baldoni, his company, Wayfarer Studios, and their lawyers for putting Swift, 'a woman who has been an inspiration for tens of millions across the globe,' at the center of the scandal. The spokesperson added, 'Faced with having to justify themselves in federal court, they folded.' Page Six has also reached out to Lively's rep for comment, but has not heard back. Baldoni's lawyers initially subpoenaed Swift on the belief that she played a role in Lively's alleged attempts to take control of 'It Ends With Us.' Attorney Bryan Freedman first name-dropped the Grammy winner in Baldoni's $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit, claiming she was present for a pivotal meeting about script re-writes between the co-stars. He also claimed that the 'Gossip Girl' alum leveraged her friendship with Swift for power. Freedman further alleged in the court docs that Baldoni got a text from Lively in which she referred to Swift and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, as 'dragons' who would do anything to protect her. 'The message could not have been clearer. Baldoni was not just dealing with Lively. He was also facing Lively's 'dragons,' two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world, who were not afraid to make things very difficult for him,' the attorney argued at the time. Freedman then went a step further by alleging in a written affidavit to the court that Lively's lawyers once threatened Swift's legal team. He claimed that Lively threatened to release their private texts if she did not publicly support her. She also allegedly demanded that Swift delete their messages. Lively's lawyer Michael Gottlieb of Willkie Farr vehemently denied those claims, telling Page Six, 'We unequivocally deny all of these so-called allegations, which are cowardly sourced to supposed anonymous sources, and completely untethered from reality.' The judge in this case ultimately ruled that the allegations Freedman made were inadmissible in court. Swift, meanwhile, has always maintained she had nothing to do with the 'It Ends With Us' drama. '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,' her spokesperson previously told Page Six. Swift's rep has not returned Page Six's request for comment on Baldoni's decision to drop the subpoena.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shake That Subpoena Off: Taylor Swift Probe Dropped By Justin Baldoni In Blake Lively Battle's Latest Twist
BREAKING ….Caught in the blast radius of multiple multi-million dollar lawsuits between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over accusations of sexual harassment and an online smear campaign, Taylor Swift can now shake off that pesky subpoena. In an unexpected move, the It Ends With Us star and director has withdrawn the paperwork seeking information from Swift about what she knew about what went down between her pal Lively and Wayfarer Studios co-founder Baldoni on the domestic violence themed film. Part of the reason the request was dropped was because details that the Bryan Freedman-represented Baldoni and crew sought were already provided, I hear. More from Deadline A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media Elisabeth Moss Clears Up Taylor Swift's 'Handmaid's Tale' Cameo Rumors: "God, I Love Them" From Wrexham To The Ice Rink: Edmonton Oilers Doc Series 'The Great Ones' Coming From Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Having said that, reps for Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, its execs and publicists did not respond Thursday to request for comment on the withdrawal of the high-profile subpoena against the 'Fortnight' superstar and her lawyer J. Douglas Baldridge. Team Swift did respond, with a polite 'no comment.' Swift is a longtime friend to Lively and even the godmother to one of her and Ryan Reynolds' children. Even before news of more backlash from a previously served Swift subpoena leaked out on May 14, the IEWU soundtrack contributor had already made several cameos in various lawsuits and countersuits ever since Lively on December 20 filed her sexual harassment and retaliation complaint with California's Civil Rights Department. With all that, Baldoni's team may be mum today and Swift's people circumspect, but Lively's side certainly had something to say. 'We are pleased that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties have withdrawn their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm,' a Lively spokesperson told Deadline this morning. 'We supported the efforts of Taylor's team to quash these inappropriate subpoenas directed to her counsel and we will continue to stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process,' they also noted. And of course, this being the Lively vs Baldoni case, there was always more to say. 'The Baldoni and Wayfarer team have tried to put Taylor Swift, a woman who has been an inspiration for tens of millions across the globe, at the center of this case since day one,' the Lively spokesperson said of their client's close close pal who has popped up in more than one filing or two since this all started with the Another Simple Favor actress' CRD complaint in late 2024. 'Exploiting Taylor Swift's celebrity was the original plan in Melissa Nathan's scenario planning document, and it continues to this day,' the statement adds, with a swipe at Baldoni's crisis management PR chief. 'Faced with having to justify themselves in federal court, they folded.' 'At some point they will run out of distractions from the actual claims of sexual harassment and retaliation they are facing.' With no settlement on the horizon and a vast cast of co-defendants and countersuits, Lively and Baldoni are set to face off in federal court on March 9, 2026. Last week saw a flurry of attorney accusations of strong-arming of Swift by Lively's side along with 'witness tampering and evidence spoliation,' plus protests by the Gossip Girl's crew of moves 'to launder scandalous and defamatory allegations about Ms. Lively and opposing counsel into the press.' It was a lot of thunder and not much lightning as Judge Lewis J. Liman reacted to a Lively team request and yanked the damning correspondence from Freedman and other Baldoni lawyers out of the court docket. 'The Letter is improper and must be stricken,' ordered Judge Liman in response to a motion by Lively's side filed mere hours after Freedman's letter. 'It is irrelevant to any issue before this Court and does not request any action from this Court,' he added, noting that Swift's Venables LLP counsel were fighting the subpoena in DC court. The reference by the Lively spokesperson Thursday to publicist Nathan, who along with ex-Jonesworks VP Jennifer Abel, directed Baldoni's public face, is noteworthy here, and clearly very personal. Lively and Deadpool star Reynolds' team have claimed that Nathan and Abel were the paid brains behind astroturfing social media effort to preemptively taint Lively before the actress went public with tales of her IEWU co-star's alleged misconduct. Both Nathan and Abel have denied those allegations, essentially stating they didn't need to attack Lively, the internet hated her all by itself. However, a mention of Swift in a Nathan/Abel planning document now in the court docket, can't be denied. 'As part of this, our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponization of feminism and how people in BL's circle like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to 'bully' into getting what they want,' Nathan wrote in August last year, around the time the Sony-distributed IEWU was released. With all the drama and stakes at play in what is a $400 million and growing legal action on many fronts, don't expect this withdrawal of a subpoena to be the last you hear of Ms. Swift in this matter. By a long shot. Best of Deadline 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg Everything We Know About Amazon's 'Verity' Movie So Far Everything We Know About 'The Testaments,' Sequel Series To 'The Handmaid's Tale' So Far
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
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. You Might Also Like: Has Taylor Swift pushed 'bestie' Blake Lively out of her girl squad? A-list celebrities reportedly rushing in to fill the top spot 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. You Might Also Like: Taylor Swift feels 'used' by Blake Lively amid Justin Baldoni lawsuit drama, she isn't one of her 'dragons'
Pink Villa
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Blake Lively Claims Justin Baldoni ‘Tried to Exploit Taylor Swift from Day One' After He Withdraws Subpoena
Taylor Swift can officially shake off her legal entanglement in the high-profile battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. In a surprising move, Baldoni has withdrawn his subpoena seeking information from the pop star regarding her knowledge of the dispute between her close friend Lively and the It Ends With Us co-star and director. But Swift's legal reprieve hasn't come without fireworks — Lively's camp is now accusing Baldoni of having tried to use Swift's fame as a legal weapon from the very start. The subpoena, originally served to Swift and her legal team, sought to involve her in the ongoing sexual harassment and defamation lawsuits filed by Lively in December 2024 against Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios. The sudden withdrawal reportedly came after Baldoni's team obtained the information they were after through other means. However, Baldoni's representatives have declined to comment, and Swift's camp responded only with a brief 'no comment.' Blake Lively's spokesperson, on the other hand, was far less restrained. In a statement, they blasted Baldoni's legal maneuvering: 'We are pleased that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties have withdrawn their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm. We will continue to stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process.' The Lively camp went on to claim that Baldoni's team had planned to 'exploit Taylor Swift's celebrity' as part of a broader PR strategy. A planning document allegedly drafted by Baldoni's crisis management chief Melissa Nathan even referenced planting stories about Swift and the 'weaponization of feminism,' suggesting a calculated effort to manipulate public opinion. Court documents and insider leaks have repeatedly linked Swift to the case — not because of direct involvement, but due to her long-standing friendship with Lively and her godmother role to one of Lively's children. This connection, Lively's team argues, was used by Baldoni's side in an attempt to distract from the actual claims of harassment and retaliation. Legal tensions remain high, especially after a judge recently struck inflammatory letters from Baldoni's legal team from the docket, calling them 'irrelevant' and 'improper.' As of now, the trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026, and with no settlement in sight, both sides are preparing for a courtroom showdown. While the withdrawal of Taylor Swift's subpoena might offer temporary relief for the singer, it's unlikely to be the last time her name is invoked in this sprawling, high-stakes legal war. As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni brace for a battle that's as public as it is personal, Swift may remain a symbolic figure in the broader narrative — one that touches on fame, feminism, and the fierce fight for reputation.
