Why is Taylor Swift mentioned in Blake Lively's complaint against Justin Baldoni? Pop star's connection to the lawsuit explored

Blake Lively, 37, has filed a lawsuit against her It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, 40, alleging s*xual harassment and a smear campaign intended to damage her reputation. The complaint, filed on December 21, also implicates Justin Baldoni's crisis management team in creating strategies targeting Lively through references to her close friend Taylor Swift, 35.

The lawsuit reveals details about alleged workplace misconduct and the involvement of high-profile names. Taylor Swift's name appears twice in the documents as part of a "scenario planning document" prepared by Baldoni's public relations firm, TAG PR.

According to the lawsuit, the document explored strategies to target Lively with negative press. One proposed tactic involved "planting stories about the weaponization of feminism," citing Taylor Swift and suggesting she had used such methods to "bully" others for personal gain.

Another instance involved a message from Melissa Nathan, the head of TAG PR, referencing Taylor Swift's massive fanbase. Nathan allegedly expressed concern over Lively’s connection to Swift, acknowledging the power of the pop star’s supporters on social media. The crisis team's focus included managing public opinion and countering the potential backlash from Lively's accusations.

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Blake Lively's allegations against Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively accused Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment during the production of It Ends with Us. The allegations include inappropriate behavior, such as sharing explicit content, making unprofessional comments about her weight, and attempting to add unapproved intimate scenes to the film.

The lawsuit also claims Baldoni’s team sought to suppress negative publicity about him while amplifying damaging narratives about Blake Lively.

Court documents highlight discussions within Baldoni’s team about utilizing social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit to manage public perception. The crisis management strategy reportedly involved references to Hailey Bieber's online controversies as a model for similar efforts against Blake Lively.

Blake Lively and Taylor Swift have been close friends since 2015. Swift featured the names of Lively’s daughters—Betty, James, and Inez—in her Folklore album. Lively’s husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, confirmed Swift as the godparent to their children.

Lively’s complaint suggests Baldoni’s team considered exploiting this friendship to sway public opinion.

The lawsuit has prompted a significant backlash. Baldoni’s agency WME, severed ties with him, though it continues to represent Lively. The film's production companies, Sony Pictures and Wayfarer Studios, were also named for failing to address misconduct during filming.

Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, denied the allegations, labeling them "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious." Freedman argued that the crisis management discussions were limited to internal planning and not implemented publicly.

Blake Lively, who has four children with Reynolds, detailed the emotional toll the alleged misconduct has taken on her family. In her statement to The New York Times, she expressed her hope that the legal action would shed light on "sinister retaliatory tactics" and protect others facing similar challenges.

It Ends with Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, was released in August 2024 and is now streaming on Netflix. The film’s press tour was marked by rumors of a feud between Lively and Baldoni. Taylor Swift has not yet publicly commented on the lawsuit.