Pop superstar Taylor Swift has unexpectedly found herself caught in the legal crossfire between actor-director Justin Baldoni and actor Blake Lively. The dispute centers around their upcoming film It Ends With Us, and new court filings suggest that Swift may be required to give a deposition a request her legal team is strongly contesting.
Conflicting Claims Over Deposition
According to CNN, Baldoni’s legal team claimed Swift had “agreed” to sit for a deposition — but only after October 20 due to prior professional obligations. Swift’s 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl is set to release on October 3, and her team insists she is unavailable before then.
However, a letter obtained by CNN from Swift’s attorney clarifies that the singer has not agreed to be deposed voluntarily. Instead, her team maintains she will only testify if compelled by the court. For the deposition to proceed, Judge Lewis J. Liman must approve an extension to the discovery deadline, currently set for September 30.
Why Taylor Swift Matters in the Case
Swift’s involvement is linked to her song My Tears Ricochet, which was licensed for use in It Ends With Us, directed by Baldoni and starring Lively. Despite having no creative role in the film, Swift’s connection to the project has become a legal flashpoint.
USA Today reports that Lively previously named Swift as someone who may have knowledge of discussions surrounding workplace conditions during production. This prompted Baldoni’s team to seek her deposition, arguing she could offer relevant insight.
Lively’s Legal Team Cries Foul
Blake Lively’s attorneys are pushing back hard, accusing Baldoni’s legal team of leveraging Swift’s name for publicity. In a filing submitted on September 12, they argued the move was part of a broader “media strategy” to generate headlines rather than gather substantive evidence.
They also criticized the request as a delay tactic, warning that the discovery phase is already strained ahead of the March 9, 2026, trial.
Subpoenas, Withdrawals, and Text Messages
This isn’t the first time Swift’s name has surfaced in the case. In May, Baldoni’s lawyers issued — and later withdrew — subpoenas to Swift and her law firm, Venable LLP, following public criticism. At the time, Swift’s team called the move “tabloid clickbait.”
Judge Liman has allowed Baldoni’s team limited access to texts between Lively and Swift, signaling that her testimony may still be considered relevant. What happens next now rests on the court’s decision regarding the discovery deadline.