Once one of Hollywood’s most respected friendships, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s long-time rapport is said to be facing a tough time. The reason? A legal battle centering on actor-director Justin Baldoni that has surprisingly drawn Swift into the controversy and put distance between the two ladies.
Friendship in Crossfire of the Law
Reports by US Weekly indicated that things came to a head after the legal team representing Baldoni sent Swift a subpoena during an ongoing case between him and Blake Lively. The case was filed by Lively, who sued Baldoni her It Ends With Us co-star and director for alleged harassment, improper contact, and on-set misconduct.
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In retaliation, Baldoni launched a \$400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively. Swift’s name surfaced in the case when she was subpoenaed, reportedly due to her close personal and professional relationship with Lively. Though Baldoni’s team later clarified they no longer required Swift’s testimony, the damage may have already been done.
Radio Silence and a Rift
Taylor Swift, also godmother to Lively’s four kids, has not been spotted with the actress publicly since the legal drama started. Sources exposed that the two have been in a state of “radio silence” and are not yet prepared to talk again. Swift, formerly one of Blake’s strongest advocates, has opted not to get involved in the case a move reportedly made with an even greater rift.
Adding another layer, insiders revealed that Swift’s father voluntarily shared information with Baldoni’s legal team in hopes of shielding his daughter from being drawn into the conflict further. Despite these efforts, Swift’s choice to keep her distance may have strained her relationship with both Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
A Personal Victory Amid Public Drama
Navigating the aftermath of this friend fall-out, Taylor Swift recently won a highly anticipated personal battle. The pop superstar triumphantly closed her lengthy legal fight with Scooter Braun, regaining the masters on her initial six studio albums. The win brings closure to the 2019-started saga, and Swift allegedly shelled out a significant amount of money for retaining complete ownership of her music catalog.
As Swift basks in her professional success and Lively presses on with her legal battle, fans are left wondering if one of pop culture’s greatest friendships can ever be restored
