Blake Lively might be known for her signature style and dazzling red carpet appearances, but recently, her social circle has been making more headlines than her fashion.
Amid swirling legal battles and the unraveling of her once-strong friendship with Taylor Swift, Blake has quietly reassembled her inner circle—with some familiar faces stepping in as others fade away.
A Night Out with a New-Look Squad
This week, Blake, 37, was spotted out in New York City grabbing dinner with longtime friend Salma Hayek.
The duo, who first worked together in the 2012 film Savages, were joined by Blake’s half-sister Robyn Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds.
The gathering marked Blake’s first public appearance since reports emerged of a shocking falling-out with Swift.
Salma, 58, has long praised Blake’s talent and character, and their connection has stood the test of time—even if it’s been a while since they were last seen together publicly.
Their night out appeared to signal a subtle but significant shift: Blake is surrounding herself with familiar, trustworthy faces as her legal storm intensifies.
Taylor Swift Friendship “Over” Amid Alleged Betrayal
According to a source speaking to DailyMail.com, Taylor Swift has officially cut ties with Blake after feeling “exploited.”
The once-inseparable friends, known for cozy holiday get-togethers and public shows of support, reportedly hit a breaking point after Blake allegedly tried to coerce Taylor into publicly supporting her in a legal dispute with actor-director Justin Baldoni.
In a letter filed in court by Baldoni’s legal team, it’s claimed that Blake not only pressured Taylor to release a statement in her favor—but even threatened to leak private texts if she didn’t.
The court documents suggest that Blake asked Taylor to delete messages between them, fearing they might be used in the escalating lawsuit.
Fashion Moments from a Drama-Filled Evening
Despite the tension behind the scenes, Blake maintained her trademark fashion flair during the outing.
She stepped out in a dark gray Prince of Wales check sport coat with rolled sleeves, layered over a brown-and-white grid-patterned shirt jacket and a cream ribbed tank top.
She paired the look with relaxed-fit black leather pants and pointed brown boots, finishing the ensemble with a boxy Louis Vuitton handbag.
Salma brought a folksy twist to the evening’s style with a denim-on-denim look, cinched at the waist with a brown belt and accented by a white satin scarf.
Her signature black glasses and flowing hair completed the look.
Robyn kept things casual in light denim, a white tank, and a cozy cardigan, while Ryan kept it understated in a black shirt and charcoal jacket.
The Fallout: Subpoenas, Allegations, and Drama
At the heart of the storm is the high-stakes legal case involving Justin Baldoni, who filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Blake and Ryan of defamation over the film It Ends With Us.
The legal documents allege that Blake attempted to manipulate witnesses—including Swift.
One particularly damning claim says Blake’s lawyer contacted Taylor’s legal team, hinting that if Swift didn’t back Blake publicly, personal texts between them might be released.
Taylor’s team fired back, calling the threat “extortionate” and highlighting their intent to keep her out of a situation she had nothing to do with.
Swift was quick to clarify her non-involvement, stating she never worked on the film in any capacity, didn’t watch it until well after its release, and was touring globally during production.
A Crumbling Friendship and Public Signs of Distance
Since the subpoena, Taylor has been distancing herself from Blake.
She hasn’t been seen with the actress for months, and her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, even unfollowed Ryan Reynolds on Instagram—a modern-day snub that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Blake’s nickname for Taylor and Ryan—“my dragons”—surfaced in court documents, allegedly used to intimidate Baldoni.
It’s become another bizarre footnote in a case filled with wild turns, including claims that Blake forced Baldoni and his family to sit in a theater basement during the movie premiere and accusations that she misrepresented key interactions on set.
Questions Around a “Sham” Lawsuit
Adding fuel to the fire, Baldoni’s team also accused Blake and Ryan’s company, Vanzan, of filing a “sham” lawsuit simply to gain subpoena power over individuals tied to the case—namely, publicist Stephanie Jones.
The lawsuit was allegedly dropped before Blake’s own sexual harassment complaint was filed, raising eyebrows and questions about her legal strategy.
Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, slammed the tactic, calling it a “flagrant abuse of process” and accusing Blake’s team of misleading the court for strategic gain.
Fallout Reaches Hollywood Inner Circles
As the legal web continues to expand, even celebrity friends like Hugh Jackman may face legal scrutiny.
Though Travis Kelce likely won’t be subpoenaed, insiders say Swift is furious about being dragged into the chaos.
Her attempts to shield herself from the scandal seem to include putting serious distance between herself and Blake, both publicly and privately.
Moving On Without Taylor
While Blake Lively’s glamorous life might seem picture-perfect from the outside, the last several weeks have pulled back the curtain on a far messier reality.
With her friendship with Taylor Swift seemingly beyond repair and a legal battle that’s only heating up, Blake is leaning into her past—reconnecting with old friends like Salma and relying on family.
For now, the streets of New York might be home to a new kind of squad for Blake Lively, one built less on social media moments and more on quiet loyalty—something she might be needing more than ever.