Blake Lively is furious after Justin Baldoni’s legal team issued a subpoena for Taylor Swift as part of their ongoing legal battle.
The subpoena, which aims to drag Swift into the situation, has added fuel to the fire.
Lively, who is 37, finds the move especially offensive, with one of Baldoni’s attorneys even suggesting that Lively could deliver her testimony at Madison Square Garden, charging people to watch.
This comment was met with backlash, as Lively considers it both misogynistic and dismissive of the gravity of the legal matter.
Lively’s Strong Response to Baldoni’s Legal Tactics
Lively’s representative wasted no time in responding, calling out Baldoni and his partner, Steve Sarowitz, for turning a serious case of sexual harassment and retaliation into a media circus.
The statement highlighted that by subpoenaing Taylor Swift, a powerful voice for millions of women around the world, Baldoni’s team was trivializing the situation.
Swift’s involvement in the movie It Ends With Us was limited to the licensing of her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the soundtrack.
She had no creative input, nor did she take part in casting or production decisions.
Taylor Swift’s Lack of Involvement in the Film
Swift’s team also issued a statement clarifying the singer’s minimal involvement in the film.
She was traveling the world on her record-breaking tour during 2023 and 2024, and had no hands-on role in the making of the movie.
Swift’s team expressed their belief that Baldoni’s legal team was using her name simply to attract media attention, focusing on tabloid headlines rather than the actual facts of the case.
The rep also pointed out the troubling actions of Baldoni and his team, which included attempts to undermine women’s rights through their actions and even seeking to strike down a victims’ rights law in California.
Legal Developments and Speculation on Future Testimonies
A day after Lively’s representative issued the statement, Lively’s attorney, Mike Gottlieb, discussed who might be called to testify in the upcoming trial.
Lively herself is expected to take the stand, with Gottlieb confirming that she will testify as a key witness.
Despite speculation about whether celebrities like Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman might also be subpoenaed, Gottlieb emphasized that their involvement was irrelevant to the case at hand.
This legal battle revolves around Lively’s claims of sexual harassment during the making of It Ends With Us, not the movie’s soundtrack or any unrelated events.
The Controversial Role of Ryan Reynolds
There’s also the issue of Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, who has been named as a defendant in Baldoni’s countersuit.
Reynolds’ possible testimony remains uncertain at this point, though Baldoni’s legal team has made it clear that they intend to explore his involvement further.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, suggested that Lively had brought her high-profile friends into the situation without concern for their reputations, even going as far as to accuse her of using her celebrity connections to manipulate Baldoni.
Alleged Text Messages and Personal Attacks
Freedman also referred to alleged text messages from Lively, where she referred to her friends, including Swift and Reynolds, as her “dragons,” a nod to the Game of Thrones character Khaleesi.
These messages were reportedly part of the larger drama that has unfolded.
Freedman’s team has also pointed to Reynolds’ alleged misconduct, claiming that his actions could have led to corporate waste and damaged shareholder interests.
The stakes are high as both sides continue to battle in the courtroom.
A Timeline of Lawsuits and Legal Claims
In December, Lively filed an 80-page civil rights complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, followed by a federal lawsuit weeks later, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, body-shaming, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni, on the other hand, has denied the accusations, arguing that Lively misrepresented their interactions.
His legal team has filed multiple defamation claims against Lively and her team, including a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over an article about the situation.
What Lies Ahead in the Legal Battle?
As both sides prepare for what could be a lengthy legal fight, the focus remains on the specifics of the harassment claims and the roles of various celebrities in this high-profile case.
While Baldoni faces professional repercussions, including losing representation from WME, the legal process is far from over.
The case is expected to merge both federal lawsuits into one, and more developments are anticipated in the coming months.
What’s next for Lively, Baldoni, and their legal teams? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that the stakes are high for everyone involved.