Newly released text messages reveal how Taylor Swift supported Blake Lively during her legal battle against Justin Baldoni in 2024.
Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni, her “It Ends With Us” director and costar, of sexual misconduct and a smear campaign. Baldoni countersued, but his case was dismissed, and he later dropped a subpoena against Swift.
Fans have wondered whether Swift and Lively remain friends. The messages, from Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 2024, show a friendship tested by stress and public scrutiny.
On Dec. 4, Lively admitted to Swift that she felt like a “bad friend” for focusing on her own struggles during the media storm. Swift responded with understanding, saying she missed the “funny, dark, normal-speaking friend” she knew before the drama. Lively explained her guarded tone came from fear that private messages could leak, adding that the stress had affected her other relationships.
The following day, Swift shared a People magazine post mocking Baldoni’s claims of being “sexually traumatized by an ex-girlfriend.” She texted, “I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.”
The messages also suggest Swift’s 2025 song “Cancelled!” may reference Lively’s experience during the Baldoni case, with lyrics about someone facing public backlash unfairly.
Both women discussed Baldoni being nominated for a women’s nonprofit award, which was later rescinded after Lively’s complaint became public. Swift called the situation “like a horror film no one knows is taking place.”
On Dec. 21, the day Lively’s complaint was published in The New York Times, Swift sent Lively an article noting Baldoni’s agency had parted ways with him. Swift wrote: “You won… You did it, and you f***ing helped so many people who won’t have to go through this ever again.” Lively responded: “I would not be ok through any of this if it weren’t for you. I love you so much.”