Movies

Taylor Swift Subpoenaed for Lively-Baldoni Trial Bombshell

BBG News

Taylor Swift has been formally summoned to serve as a witness in the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, as her attorney has confirmed that she will likely provide testimony.

On Friday, according to TMZ, the attorney for 41-year-old Baldoni issued a subpoena to the 35-year-old Eras Tour performer, requesting him to appear as a witness in a case.

According to reports, Taylor’s team is disputing the subpoena under the claim that she had minimal involvement in the set conflicts of the 2024 movie “It Ends With Us.

DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for Swift and have yet to hear back. 

A day following Mike Gottlieb, Blake’s lawyer, disclosing details on potential witnesses for her upcoming trial with Justin, her It Ends with Us co-star, this information has been shared.

On Thursday, it was confirmed by the actress’s lawyer that she, aged 37, is ready to testify in a court of law under oath.

In reply to the question about Lively testifying, Gottlieb affirmed that she will indeed serve as a witness during the trial.

In my fervent enthusiasm, I wholeheartedly believe that the pinnacle of any plaintiff’s narrative unfolds within a courtroom setting, and I firmly anticipate this very scenario playing out in our case involving Lively. Indeed, she will take the stand to share her story personally.

Despite rumors suggesting that friends of Lively, such as Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, might be summoned, Gottlieb clarified that it remains uncertain if any allegations or defense strategies in the case involve these celebrities in any way whatsoever.

He clarified that the matter at hand is concerning the incidents experienced by Blake Lively when she alleged sexual harassment on the set, rather than discussions over the selection of songs for the movie or the fictional Marvel characters featured in the Deadpool films.

Gottlieb further clarified, ‘The question arises then, what is the reason for summoning these individuals? Are they truly pertinent to the ongoing case? It’s not appropriate to issue subpoenas merely because someone is well-known and you expect it will create sensational news. The federal courts frown upon such actions.’

Currently, there’s doubt about whether Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s spouse, might testify. This is because he is currently listed as a defendant in Baldoni’s counterclaim.

 Lively’s team is working to get those claims dismissed.  

In response to Gottlieb’s comments, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, countered by accusing Gottlieb of attempting to divert attention away from the case at hand.

> “Despite the apparent discomfort of those involved, Freedman stated to People that the truth is not a diversion. The truth has been evident through uncensored receipts, records, and authentic videos. Further revelations are expected.

Freedman went on to say: “It was Blake who introduced her influential acquaintances to this predicament, seemingly unmindful of any potential negative consequences for them, either personally or publicly. The evidence reveals that she skillfully employed her dragons to control Justin’s actions at every step.

Freedman’s closing comment was subtly hinting at the reported texts from Lively, where she used the term “dragons” in reference to Swift and Reynolds.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but draw parallels between myself and Daenerys Targaryen, the Khaleesi from Game of Thrones. In my heartfelt reflections, I liken my passions and convictions to her mythical dragons – they stand by me, unwavering, as I strive for what I believe in, be it with grace or with force.

Concerning the accusations against Ryan’s misbehavior, Freedman stated: “Ryan’s actions are extensively recorded, and we’re still uncovering additional instances of deliberate wrongdoing. It’s hard to believe that Disney might have knowingly allowed Ryan to use shareholder funds to fuel a personal vendetta. I would find it surprising if this kind of corporate misuse didn’t result in further scrutiny for those involved in impacting shareholder income.

In December, Lively submitted an 80-page civil rights claim to the California Civil Rights Department, preceding the formal filing of a federal lawsuit about a month thereafter.

During that same month, Baldoni found himself facing a lawsuit from Lively, who alleged sexual harassment during the making of the film. In this lawsuit, the former Gossip Girl actress claimed that Baldoni had sexually harassed her in various ways, such as body shaming and orchestrating a campaign to tarnish her reputation.

In response to the lawsuit, Baldoni and his representatives assert that Lively manipulated the interpretation of text messages and deceived the public regarding the true nature of their communications during the production of the movie.

In her legal action, Lively pointed out several associates of Baldoni, such as Wayfarer Studios (his production company), its CEO and primary investor, along with public relations representatives Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.

I’m optimistic that my lawsuit will expose those underhanded strategies intended to punish individuals who expose wrongdoing, thereby safeguarding others potentially facing similar treatment,” Lively stated to The New York Times following the submission of her complaint.

Later, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the publication for an alleged defamation amounting to $250 million, stemming from a December 21 article titled ‘”We Can Silence Anyone”: Unveiling a Hollywood Slander Network.’ However, the newspaper has disputed these claims.

On January 16, Baldoni brought a $400 million lawsuit versus Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion. Baldoni claimed in court that the trio had fabricated ‘allegations of sexual harassment’ against him.

After Lively lodged her complaint, Baldoni has experienced several career repercussions such as a legal action initiated by a past publicist, and termination from the talent agency WME, which represents both Lively and Reynolds.

According to Variety, it’s been reported that WME refutes allegations suggesting that Lively and Reynolds pressured them to remove Baldoni from their list of clients.

The lawyers from both sides agreed on a strategy to consolidate the two federal cases they were handling, aiming to progress as a single case in court.

As an over-the-moon fanatic, I can’t help but share my excitement about “It Ends with Us” that graced our movie screens on August 9! Starring the talented Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar, and Kevin McKidd, this cinematic masterpiece was a global sensation. Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, it raked in an impressive $148 million at the domestic box office, with an additional staggering $350 million worldwide, as reported by Box Office Mojo. Truly a must-watch for any ardent movie lover like myself!

2005 marked the start of Blake Lively’s vibrant acting career with the movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” where she acted alongside Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, and America Ferrera. This role catapulted her into the limelight, leading to a prominent part on the television series “Gossip Girl” from 2007-2012, during which she portrayed the lead character, Serena van der Woodsen.

In addition, she has starred in films like “The Town” (released in 2010), “The Shallows” (from 2016), “A Simple Favor” (2018), and “The Rhythm Section” (2020).

Before “It Ends with Us”, Baldoni was most recognized for his portrayal of Rafael Solano on the TV series Jane the Virgin from 2014 to 2019. He has also directed movies such as Five Feet Apart (2019) and Clouds (2020), and authored the book “Man Enough” in 2021, which explored modern-day misconceptions about masculinity.

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2025-05-10 01:34

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