In the ongoing legal dispute involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni regarding the movie It Ends With Us, Taylor Swift's legal team has firmly denied claims that the pop superstar has agreed to participate in a deposition. Baldoni's legal representatives asserted that Swift had consented to the deposition but would only be available after October 20 due to "preexisting professional obligations." This statement is believed to reference the release of her much-anticipated twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl, scheduled for launch on October 3.
On September 12, Swift’s attorney, Douglas Baldridge, filed a response in court categorically refuting Baldoni's assertions. Baldridge emphasized, "My client did not agree to a deposition," but mentioned that should the court compel her attendance, Swift's schedule could accommodate a deposition during the week of October 20, provided that the involved parties can resolve their ongoing disputes.
The legal feud centers around allegations made by Lively against Baldoni, claiming that he sexually harassed her during the filming of It Ends With Us and subsequently initiated a retaliatory smear campaign after she raised concerns. For months, Baldoni has claimed that Swift's close friendship with Lively renders her a crucial witness in the case. In June, a federal judge granted Baldoni access to Swift and Lively's text messages as part of the document discovery process, further intensifying the stakes in this legal battle.
As it stands, the discovery schedule mandates that all depositions must conclude by the end of September, in anticipation of a trial set for March 2026. However, Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, have sought an extension for Swift's deposition. This request has drawn criticism from Lively's legal team, who have accused Baldoni of trying to create a media spectacle by involving Swift, despite her limited connection to It Ends With Us.
In their court response, Lively's attorneys have condemned Baldoni's tactics, arguing that they are designed to generate media attention rather than serve legitimate legal purposes. They pointed out that Baldoni's team could have initiated the deposition process months ago but failed to do so, demonstrating a lack of diligence and respect for Swift's busy schedule. Lively's lawyer, Michael Gottlieb, stated, "Ms. Swift is someone whose calendar should be presumed to be packed with professional obligations for months in advance."
As the situation unfolds, Judge Lewis J. Liman has yet to make a ruling on Baldoni's request for a discovery extension. The legal conflict between Lively and Baldoni has been escalating since December, when Lively filed allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation against him. In a subsequent twist, Baldoni countersued Lively for defamation, though Judge Liman ultimately dismissed those counterclaims. Now, only Lively's original allegations remain on track for trial this coming spring.
Throughout the case, Baldoni’s team has expressed a desire to involve Swift, suggesting that Lively was leveraging her friendship with the "influential and wealthy celebrity" to gain an advantage in the lawsuit. As the situation develops, the implications of Swift's potential deposition remain a focal point in this high-profile legal drama.
