Topline

A series of bombshell text messages between actress Blake Lively and her longtime friend Taylor Swift has revealed how Lively’s personal relationships suffered amid drama on the set of her film “It Ends With Us”—and shows what Swift really thought about director and co-star Justin Baldoni.

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024.

Getty ImagesKey Facts

Private text messages between the stars were included in a legal filing from Lively’s legal team this week in connection with her ongoing lawsuit against Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios production company, in which Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment on the “It Ends With Us” set and coordinating a smear campaign to silence her.

The messages are dated December 2024, the same month Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni and days before an explosive New York Times article, headlined “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” detailed Lively’s claims against him. (See messages below).

The texts start with Lively reaching out to Swift to check on their friendship, calling Swift “the key person there for me” during her “It Ends With Us” experience. Swift then admitted the relationship had been strained, adding she missed her “funny, dark, normal-speaking friend who talks to me as herself” and adding she felt “distanced.”

The next day, Swift reached back out to Lively in a message calling him a “bitch” and speculating he “knows something is coming.”

Swift then asked Lively if everything was “still on track,” to which Lively responded “oh yes” (it’s unclear exactly what the women were discussing, but Lively’s civil rights complaint was filed two weeks later).

Other documents unsealed this week include texts from “It Ends With Us” actress Jenny Slate, who called Baldoni a “false ally,” “fraud,” the “biggest clown and the most intense narcissist” and “astoundingly wrongheaded” in texts to multiple people.

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Text messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, released as part of Lively’s ongoing lawsuit against “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni.

U.S. District Court

Text messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, released as part of Lively’s ongoing lawsuit against “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni.

U.S. District Court

Text messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, released as part of Lively’s ongoing lawsuit against “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni.

U.S. District CourtKey Background

Rumors began circulating about drama on the set of “It Ends With Us,” which was released in August 2024, during promotion for the film. Lively refused to promote the movie alongside Baldoni, and the pair were never interviewed or photographed together. “It Ends With Us” author Colleen Hoover and most of Lively’s co-stars, including Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar and Isabela Ferrer, appeared at her side rather than Baldoni’s. At the same time, Lively was the subject of intense scrutiny online, with social media users taking issue with how she discussed domestic violence and the promotion of her personal brands during the tour. In December 2024, Lively filed her complaint with the California Civil Rights Department claiming Baldoni behaved inappropriately on set and coordinated a PR campaign with a crisis firm in an attempt to destroy her reputation. Days later, she filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against Baldoni, his publicist, Wayfarer Studios and other defendants for “retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns.” Baldoni quickly filed a countersuit and sued the New York Times for its reporting on Lively’s allegations, claiming he was falsely accused of sexual harassment and was used as a “scapegoat” to dodge the negative press surrounding the film. Swift was subpoenaed in Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively last May, but his lawyers later withdrew the subpoena. Both of Baldoni’s lawsuits were dismissed in June. Lively’s is still ongoing. (Here is an in-depth timeline of the saga, and explanations of Lively’s initial claims and Baldoni’s claims.)

What To Watch For

A federal judge will consider Baldoni’s bid to dismiss Lively’s lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment on Thursday. If it is allowed to proceed, a trial for the case is set for May 18.

Further ReadingForbesBaldoni Vs. Lively Feud: Explosive Texts Released Between Lively, Taylor SwiftBy Mary Whitfill RoeloffsForbesHere’s What Blake Lively Alleges Against ‘It Ends With Us’ Actor-Director Justin BaldoniBy Conor MurrayForbesAll Of Justin Baldoni’s Allegations Against Blake Lively Explained—As He Releases ‘It Ends With Us’ OuttakesBy Mary Whitfill Roeloffs