At a Glance
- Taylor Swift texted Blake Lively calling Justin Baldoni an expletive on Dec. 4-5, 2024
- The message surfaced in Lively’s federal lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios
- Lively’s team calls the newly unsealed filings “damning” for Baldoni
- Why it matters: The texts add celebrity firepower to allegations of a smear campaign against Lively
Pop superstar Taylor Swift sent a profane text about actor-director Justin Baldoni to Blake Lively, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court.
The message-“I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin”-was exchanged Dec. 4-5, 2024, as Lively and Swift discussed media coverage of the spiraling legal fight over the film It Ends With Us.
Swift Text Emerges in Lively v. Baldoni Lawsuit
Lively’s attorneys included the text in a new filing that re-publicized previously sealed exhibits. The defense claims the exchange shows Swift and Lively coordinated ahead of a New York Times story alleging Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO launched a “retaliatory ‘smear campaign'” against Lively. Lively’s team denies the timing link.
Representatives for Swift did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday night. A spokesperson for Swift previously stated she licensed a song for the movie but had no other involvement; an earlier attempt to subpoena her as a witness failed.
“Damning” Evidence, Says Lively Legal Team
Sigrid McCawley, counsel for Lively, told reporters the unsealed documents reveal a pattern of negative reactions to Baldoni across gender lines and job titles.
“The newly unsealed, damning documents show the consistent reaction numerous women, cast, crew, executives, partners, co-host and even his own PR team had working with Justin Baldoni,” McCawley said.
Baldoni’s publicist and his listed attorney did not return messages seeking comment. A Wayfarer Studios spokesperson declined to comment.
Lawsuit Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 20, 2023 | Lively files complaint with California Civil Rights Department |
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Federal civil suit filed against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and others |
| Feb. 2024 | Amended complaint adds Wayfarer CEO and additional defendants |
| June 2024 | Judge dismisses Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit |
| Nov. 2024 | Countersuit formally terminated for missed deadline |
| Dec. 3, 2024 | Swift-Lively texts dated Dec. 4-5 unsealed |
Allegations at the Center of the Fight
Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment during production and claims he orchestrated a “multi-tiered plan” to ruin her reputation after she complained. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages but does not specify a dollar amount.
Baldoni has previously called the allegations “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.”
About the Film
It Ends With Us (2024) stars Lively as Lily Bloom, a florist who marries neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, played by Baldoni. The story follows Bloom’s decision to leave her abusive marriage. Baldoni directed the picture and co-founded Wayfarer Studios, the company financing and distributing the project.
Key Takeaways
- The unsealed texts add Swift to the list of celebrities indirectly pulled into the dispute
- Lively’s legal strategy leans on public filings to keep media attention on her allegations
- Baldoni’s countersuit failure leaves him defending against Lively’s core claims without a parallel damages request
No trial date has been set.
