Blake Lively's Legal Battle Escalates as Taylor Swift Friendship Fractures

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Blake Lively has dominated headlines over the past few days, with her personal and professional life unfolding like a high-stakes drama. The most significant development centers on her protracted legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director from It Ends With Us. This week, that dispute escalated when Blake withdrew her emotional distress claim from her lawsuit after Baldoni’s legal team demanded access to her medical and therapy records. According to ABC News, a federal judge ruled Blake cannot refile those particular claims, marking a major shift in the case. The lawsuit, originally filed by Lively last December, alleges sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign led by Baldoni and his company Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni struck back with a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and others, seeking $400 million for defamation and civil extortion. Both sides have traded sharp public statements, with Blake’s team denouncing Baldoni’s actions as a “public relations stunt.” The trial is set for March 2026, putting Hollywood’s attention firmly on the outcome.

The legal skirmish has not only impacted Blake’s work but her closest friendships. Marca reports that her longtime friend Taylor Swift has been conspicuously unresponsive to Blake’s recent attempts at reconciliation, after being subpoenaed as a potential witness in the lawsuit. Sources close to Swift told the Daily Mail and People that the friendship hasn’t recovered, with Taylor yet to trust Blake again—an unexpected twist in a decade-long bond previously regarded as unbreakable.

Blake has also kept a visible public profile, appearing at the 2025 TIME100 Gala in New York City earlier this week, with Page Six capturing her glamorous arrival. However, she and Ryan Reynolds skipped the 2025 Met Gala, a notable absence for the couple, long considered red carpet royalty. People confirmed their decision, pointing to the ongoing legal chaos as a likely reason.

On the business front, Blake’s Betty Buzz beverage line continues to expand, and she maintains active engagement with fans on social media. While she has not directly addressed the lawsuit online, her playful banter with Ryan Reynolds and elegant fashion posts have kept her in the spotlight for more positive reasons. Career-wise, her latest film, Another Simple Favor, recently debuted to positive buzz at SXSW, and there’s speculation she may headline a major new project soon, signaling her resilience despite the controversy swirling around her.

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