Friendship is complicated enough on its own, but when Hollywood, lawsuits, and the world’s spotlight collide, even long-time pals can feel the strain.
That seems to be the case with Taylor Swift and Blake Lively, whose friendship recently came under public scrutiny amid Lively’s legal battle surrounding her movie It Ends With Us.
Newly unsealed text messages, filed as court evidence, reveal the duo confronting the “shift” in their relationship that occurred during Lively’s fight against her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
Lively Reaches Out First
According to documents revealed on January 20, 2026, it was Lively who first tried to patch things up.
In a heartfelt message sent on December 4, 2024, she admitted feeling like a “bad friend” for focusing on her own struggles and recognized Swift’s support during the legal chaos.
Lively wrote, “I felt like a bad friend lately because I was such a sad sack who only talked about my own s** for months.
You were generous to not only be the key person there for me but also to let me off the hook for being so in it.”*
She continued, acknowledging the awkwardness she sometimes felt and explaining her desire to repair any unintentional damage: “I always want the opportunity to be a better friend if there’s something I unintentionally did.
I know how busy and taxed you are — physically, emotionally, practically, so I don’t expect any more from you ever.”
Swift Admits the Shift
Swift responded candidly, admitting Lively wasn’t wrong but also downplaying the severity of the situation.
“I think I’m just exhausted in every avenue of my life and in recent months had been feeling a little bit of a shift in the way you talk to me,” Swift wrote.
She attributed part of her fatigue to wrapping up her massive Eras Tour in early December 2024, explaining that her exhaustion had colored her perception of their interactions.
The pop star expressed that she missed the personal, humorous exchanges they once shared: “It’s felt like I was reading a mass corporate email sent to 200 employees… I just kinda miss my funny, dark, normal-speaking friend who talks to me as herself.”
A Touch of Humor Amid Tension
In response, Lively showcased her trademark wit, jokingly mimicking a corporate email reply: “We at headquarters are reviewing your concerns and will get back to you in a timely manner. For real, though. You’re right.”
She explained that her “digitally paranoid” approach had led her to overthink her messages, particularly since her private communications had been exposed as part of the court proceedings.
Lively admitted responsibility for the distance, apologizing for her role: “I’m being a stupid paranoid weirdo and felt it but didn’t know where or how or when… I am sorry. To you.”
Swift, keeping the tone light, played along with the corporate email joke, defusing some of the tension.
The Legal Backdrop
These messages emerged alongside deposition excerpts from Lively, which challenge claims about who was present during a confrontation with Baldoni over allegedly inappropriate questions about her weight.
Lively clarified that only her husband Ryan Reynolds and Baldoni were present during the exchange in her New York City penthouse, disputing earlier reports that included Swift and Hugh Jackman.
Baldoni had reportedly inquired about Lively’s weight in preparation for a physically demanding scene in It Ends With Us, a claim he described as “reasonable” and “in good faith.”
Lively alleged the question was invasive, prompting her to involve her trainer, Don Saladino.
Reynolds briefly joined the discussion, while Jackman later arrived only to escort Reynolds out, according to her testimony.
Celebrity Commentary and Texts
Beyond the courtroom, Swift and Lively exchanged texts jokingly criticizing Baldoni, with Lively calling him a “doofus director” and Swift pledging to help however she could.
Lively even referred to Swift as the “absolute greatest friend ever” after Swift supported her in endorsing a revised script draft, though Swift’s representatives have emphasized that the singer had no involvement in the creative process or filming of the movie.
The newly released texts and court documents paint a picture of friendship under pressure, highlighting both misunderstandings and the humor that helped them navigate tense moments.
Swift’s connection to the film reportedly amounted to permitting the use of one of her songs, while her name was later invoked in legal filings, sparking tabloid speculation.
Where Things Stand
As of now, the trial surrounding Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni is set for March 2026.
The unsealed texts between Swift and Lively offer a rare glimpse into how celebrity friendships adapt — or strain — under the intense glare of public and legal scrutiny.
Even amid court battles and global tours, the two stars appear to be working through their own personal “shift,” balancing honesty, humor, and the complexities of fame.
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