New developments in the It Ends With Us legal saga have taken an unexpected turn as private text messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift were unsealed and revealed in court documents. The messages, buried in filings connected to Blake Lively’s ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, show a side of the celebrity friendships and private commentary that had previously been unknown to the public.
The dispute itself began in December 2024 when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the film adaptation of It Ends With Us. Baldoni denied the claims and countersued, leading to a legal battle that has included a slew of filings, motions, and leaked courtroom documents.
Among the newly unsealed texts are candid exchanges in which Lively criticises Baldoni and seeks support from Swift. In one message, Lively reportedly called Baldoni a “doofus director” and a “clown,” reflecting her private frustration with how the production was handled. Swift’s replies, which have also been included in the documents, show her backing Lively by expressing loyalty and offering support, even saying she would “do anything for you,” according to the filings.
Another text attributed to Swift has drawn particular attention because it used a derogatory term to describe Baldoni, suggesting he “knows something is coming” because of his reaction to the situation. This line also referenced his “tiny violin,” a phrase some observers connected to Swift’s song lyrics and the broader media narrative around the dispute.
The legal teams have sparred over how these messages should be interpreted. Baldoni’s lawyers have used portions of the texts to imply that Swift and Lively were coordinating their public positions and media strategies. Lively’s team, on the other hand, has argued that the exchanges are personal and taken out of context, emphasizing that Swift was never officially involved in the film’s production beyond licensing her music.
Part of the controversy stems from earlier attempts by Baldoni’s lawyers to subpoena Swift directly in hopes of forcing her to testify, a move that was later dropped after Swift’s representatives clarified she had no creative role in the movie. Despite that, the judge allowed access to the messages between Lively and Swift, finding they could be relevant to the broader litigation.
Fans and commentators online have reacted to the leaks with surprise, noting the gap between Swift’s previous public statements distancing herself from the It Ends With Us dispute and these behind-the-scenes exchanges. Some see the texts as evidence that Swift was more aware of and engaged in the situation than she had let on. Others have questioned the ethics of releasing private messages in a legal battle and what these leaks mean for celebrity friendships in high-profile conflicts.
As the trial date approaches in 2026, these leaked texts are likely to continue fueling discussion about how personal communications intersect with public image, legal strategy, and the blurred line between private friendship and corporate legal disputes in Hollywood.
