Pop sensation Taylor Swift reportedly used harsh language to describe actor Justin Baldoni in a private text exchange with Blake Lively, according to court documents made public this week. The messages emerged as part of an ongoing legal dispute between Lively and her "It Ends With Us" co-star, adding a new layer of celebrity involvement to the already complex case that has captivated Hollywood observers for over a year.
The legal battle stems from Lively's serious allegations against Baldoni, who directed and starred alongside her in the 2024 romantic drama based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel. The actor filed a comprehensive lawsuit more than twelve months ago, claiming she faced sexual harassment during production and subsequent retaliation when she raised concerns about his behavior on set. The recently unsealed communications were included in a court filing submitted Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, marking the latest development in a case that has seen numerous twists and turns.
According to legal documents prepared by Lively's attorneys, Swift wrote in a text message, "I think this bitch knows something is coming because he's gotten out his tiny violin." The message's timestamp and surrounding context have become a point of contention between the opposing legal teams, highlighting how digital communications can be interpreted differently depending on the narrative each side wishes to present. Defense lawyers claim the exchange occurred on December 4 and 5, 2024, while Swift and Lively discussed an upcoming investigative piece from The New York Times. That article would eventually report on allegations that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios' chief executive had orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against Lively in response to her complaints about on-set conduct.
Lively's legal representatives acknowledge the authenticity of Swift's quoted words but challenge the defense's timeline and contextual interpretation. They argue the defense's framing misrepresents when and why the message was sent, though they haven't provided an alternative timeline in the public filing. This dispute over context demonstrates a common challenge in modern litigation, where text messages and digital communications often lack the nuance of face-to-face conversations but carry significant weight as evidence.
When reached for comment Tuesday evening, Swift's team remained silent on the matter. A spokesperson for the Grammy-winning artist previously stated that while Swift licensed music for "It Ends With Us," she had no other involvement with the film's production or promotion. Last year, Baldoni's legal team attempted to compel Swift's testimony in the case, but those efforts did not succeed, suggesting the court agreed her connection to the core issues was tangential at best.
Sigrid McCawley, representing Lively, emphasized that Swift's message represents just one piece of a larger pattern of concerning behavior. "The newly unsealed, damning documents show the consistent reaction numerous women, cast, crew, executives, partners, co-host and even his own PR team had working with Justin Baldoni," McCawley stated Tuesday. Her comments suggest the text exchange supports a broader narrative about Baldoni's professional conduct and how it was perceived by those around him during and after production.
Baldoni's representatives did not respond to media inquiries Tuesday night, maintaining a pattern of limited public comment since the lawsuit's filing. The actor's attorney in the federal case also remained silent when contacted via email for comment. Previously, Baldoni's lawyer has dismissed Lively's claims as "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious," indicating a strategy of aggressive denial rather than negotiation or settlement.
Tuesday's court action focused on re-filing publicly accessible versions of exhibits initially submitted with Lively's opposition to a summary judgment motion. This procedural step made the documents available to media outlets and the public, though some portions may remain redacted to protect privileged information or ongoing investigative matters.
The legal conflict began when Lively filed a complaint with California's Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2024, formally accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during filming. She expanded her legal action by filing a federal civil lawsuit on December 31, 2024, naming Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, the company's CEO, and additional parties connected to the production. An amended complaint followed in February, though it doesn't specify a monetary amount, instead seeking both compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged harm to her career and reputation.
The amended filing alleges Baldoni and his associates executed a multi-tiered plan to damage Lively's reputation after she reported his alleged misconduct. The complaint details how this alleged campaign unfolded across multiple platforms and involved various individuals connected to the film, suggesting a coordinated effort rather than isolated incidents of disagreement.
Baldoni's legal team attempted to turn the tables by filing a $400 million countersuit against Lively, claiming defamation and other damages. However, that action proved short-lived. A federal judge dismissed the countersuit in June, and formally terminated it in November when Baldoni's attorneys missed a court-imposed deadline to file an amended complaint, a procedural misstep that effectively ended his attempt at legal retaliation.
The case continues to draw attention not only for its high-profile participants but also for its potential implications for workplace conduct in the entertainment industry. With Swift's private communications now part of the public record, the lawsuit has expanded beyond its original scope, pulling one of music's biggest stars into the orbit of a Hollywood legal drama she previously tried to avoid through her limited involvement.
As proceedings move forward, Lively's team appears focused on demonstrating a pattern of behavior through various forms of evidence, including third-party communications like Swift's text. The defense, meanwhile, maintains its position that the allegations lack merit and represent an attack on Baldoni's character and professional standing that has damaged his own career prospects.
The entertainment world watches closely as this dispute unfolds, with each new filing revealing additional details about what happened behind the scenes of one of 2024's most talked-about film adaptations. For now, Swift's candid assessment of the situation—captured in a private moment and now made public through legal process—serves as a reminder of how personal communications can become central evidence in high-stakes legal battles, even for celebrities who attempt to remain at the periphery of controversies.