Taylor Swift seems to be turning a new page in her friendships.
After rumors surfaced about a falling-out with longtime pal Blake Lively, the singer was recently spotted enjoying a cozy dinner with actress Dakota Johnson in New York City.
This marked a shift for Swift, who appeared to be strengthening her other friendships as tensions with Blake reportedly simmered behind the scenes.
Dinner Date with Dakota Johnson and Their Siblings in New York
On a recent Thursday evening, Taylor and Dakota met up for dinner at the popular Italian restaurant Via Carota.
It wasn’t just a casual girls’ night out — both brought along their brothers, making the evening a family affair.
Taylor’s brother Austin and Dakota’s brother Jesse joined the group, adding a relaxed, supportive vibe to the outing.
Taylor was looking effortlessly chic in a black floral dress paired with bold red lipstick, while Dakota kept things cool and edgy in an all-black outfit.
Their confidence and camaraderie were on full display as they arrived at the celebrity hotspot, with Taylor rocking sleek hair pulled back into a high ponytail and strutting in her signature Christian Louboutin heels.
The Fallout with Blake Lively: What Really Happened?
The timing of this new friendship spotlight comes shortly after reports revealed serious tension between Taylor and Blake.
According to sources, Blake Lively allegedly threatened to expose private and potentially embarrassing text messages from Taylor if the singer didn’t publicly support Blake in her ongoing feud with Justin Baldoni, Blake’s co-star and director on the film It Ends With Us.
Taylor was even drawn into the legal battle when Baldoni’s lawyer subpoenaed her to testify, but Swift’s team firmly denied her involvement beyond licensing a song for the movie.
Eventually, the subpoena was withdrawn, but insiders say Taylor is done with Blake after the drama unfolded behind closed doors.
The Legal Drama Behind the Scenes
The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has been intense.
Baldoni filed a massive $400 million lawsuit accusing Blake of trying to control the film’s production, including threatening to withhold approval of the trailer unless she got more creative control.
The lawsuit also alleged Blake used her friendship with Taylor as leverage, suggesting Taylor’s involvement was part of an intimidation tactic during meetings about the film.
Adding fuel to the fire, Blake sent texts comparing herself and her circle to the “dragons” from Game of Thrones, implying she was wielding power and influence behind the scenes.
Taylor, reportedly uncomfortable with the entire situation, chose to step back, wanting to protect her image and avoid being dragged into the messy feud.
The History of Taylor and Blake’s Friendship and Recent Changes
Taylor and Blake were once inseparable, often spotted together at events and social outings.
Their last public appearance together was in Rhode Island in August 2024, followed by a double date in Manhattan with Blake’s husband Ryan Reynolds and Taylor’s boyfriend Travis Kelce just two months earlier.
However, things began to shift when Blake filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, sparking a media frenzy and a public battle.
Baldoni hit back with a countersuit accusing Blake and Reynolds of conspiring against him, dragging their publicist into the mix as well.
What’s Next for Taylor Swift’s Social Circle?
With the fallout between Taylor and Blake, it looks like Taylor is choosing to focus on positive and less complicated friendships, like the one she’s now building with Dakota Johnson.
Their connection isn’t entirely new — Dakota even mentioned Taylor in a Saturday Night Live monologue last year, jokingly calling her “the most powerful person in America.”
After a year of legal headaches and public drama, Taylor seems ready to move on, prioritizing her peace of mind and personal happiness.
And with new allies by her side, the pop superstar is showing she can handle the highs and lows of Hollywood friendships with grace.