Are Taylor Swift And Blake Lively Still Friends? Unraveling The Truth Amidst Legal Drama

Crystal Rau 11 Jul 2025

For nearly a decade, the friendship between pop superstar Taylor Swift and Hollywood actress Blake Lively has been one of the most beloved and visible in the entertainment industry. From red carpet appearances to adorable social media shout-outs and even the inclusion of Lively's children's names in Swift's songs, their bond seemed unbreakable. They were the epitome of celebrity besties, a testament to enduring camaraderie in a notoriously fickle world.

However, recent headlines have cast a shadow of doubt over this seemingly rock-solid friendship. Whispers and conflicting reports have emerged, largely stemming from Blake Lively's ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director on the upcoming film "It Ends With Us." Taylor Swift, through no fault of her own, found herself unwittingly entangled in this complex legal drama, leading many fans to wonder: are Taylor Swift and Blake Lively still friends, or has the pressure of a high-profile lawsuit finally fractured their bond?

The Foundation of a Hollywood Friendship: A Decade of Bond

How It All Began: A Friendship Born in 2015

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s friendship officially blossomed in 2015. Their initial public appearances together, often alongside other members of Swift's famous "squad," quickly captured the public's imagination. What started as a budding camaraderie soon evolved into a deep and meaningful connection. They were frequently seen supporting each other's endeavors, from attending concerts and award shows to celebrating personal milestones.

Their bond was often characterized by mutual admiration and genuine affection. Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, became fixtures at Swift’s exclusive Fourth of July parties, and Swift even famously incorporated the names of Lively and Reynolds’ daughters – James, Inez, and Betty – into her folklore album, solidifying their special place in her life and art. This public display of affection and trust reinforced the perception of an incredibly strong and resilient friendship, one that many believed could withstand any storm.

The Unforeseen Catalyst: The Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

The "It Ends With Us" Connection

The recent turmoil in Taylor and Blake's friendship reportedly began with Blake Lively's legal dispute against Justin Baldoni. In a recent December, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni, her co-star and director on the highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's popular novel, "It Ends With Us." The specifics of the lawsuit are complex, but it has undeniably created a tense and high-stakes environment for all involved.

Taylor Swift's Unwitting Involvement

The surprising twist in this legal saga came when Taylor Swift was unexpectedly dragged into the proceedings. Reports indicated that Swift was subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle. This development sent shockwaves through their respective fan bases, as it raised immediate questions about how Swift, seemingly unrelated to the film's production drama, became a part of it.

While the exact reasons for Swift's initial subpoena weren't fully detailed in public reports, one piece of information that surfaced was related to her music. According to a representative, Taylor had only agreed to license her song, presumably for use in the film or its promotional materials. This suggests her involvement was primarily professional and limited, yet it was enough to draw her into the legal crossfire.

Further complicating matters, reports emerged of an alleged request from Blake Lively. Justin Baldoni's lawyers reportedly wrote a letter to a judge claiming that Blake had allegedly asked Taylor to delete their text messages, and "that if Ms. Swift..." – the sentence trails off in the provided data, but the implication of potential evidence tampering or strategic communication is clear. This allegation, whether true or not, added another layer of complexity and potential strain to the friendship.

Fortunately for Swift, the immediate legal pressure on her seems to have eased. Justin Baldoni reportedly dropped the pop superstar’s subpoena amid his legal battle with his "It Ends With Us" co-star. However, even with the subpoena lifted, the lingering effects of her involvement have reportedly impacted her relationship with Lively.

Navigating the Murky Waters: Conflicting Reports

The aftermath of Taylor Swift's involvement in the Baldoni lawsuit has led to a flurry of contradictory reports regarding the state of her friendship with Blake Lively. The narrative has swung wildly, leaving fans and the media alike confused about the true status of their bond.

Signs of Strain

Several reports have painted a picture of a friendship under significant duress:

"Still not speaking": Despite Justin Baldoni dropping the subpoena, some sources claim Taylor Swift and Blake Lively are reportedly still not speaking.
"Reportedly tense": Even with the subpoena lifted, things between her and Blake are still reportedly tense.
"Friendship has halted" / "stalled": Swift and Lively haven’t stepped out together publicly in months. People magazine, citing an anonymous source, reported that “their friendship has halted” and “Taylor wants…” (the sentence is incomplete, but implies a desire for resolution or distance). Other sources similarly stated that their friendship has stalled.
"Not the same as it was before": An insider told People that while Tay and Blake are working towards being "on good terms," their friendship isn't the same as it was before.
"Taylor has been keeping some distance": With Blake’s legal drama making headlines, it seems like Taylor has been keeping some distance.

These reports collectively suggest a significant rift, indicating that the legal entanglement has created a palpable distance and tension between the two long-time friends.

Glimmers of Hope?

Conversely, other reports have offered a more optimistic outlook, suggesting that the friendship remains intact or is actively being repaired:

"Working on their friendship": Multiple sources indicate that Taylor Swift and Blake Lively are working on their friendship amid the legal drama involving the Justin Baldoni lawsuit.
"Remains unscathed" / "remain good friends": Sources confirmed to PEOPLE that Taylor Swift and Blake Lively's friendship remains unscathed amid the Justin Baldoni legal drama. Page Six also confirmed that they remain good friends despite Baldoni dragging Swift into the drama.
"Still friends": According to Entertainment Tonight, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively are still friends amid the ongoing legal drama.

These conflicting accounts highlight the intense speculation surrounding their relationship and the difficulty in discerning the truth from external observations and anonymous sources.

What Does This Mean for Their Friendship?

The Impact of Legal Drama on Personal Bonds

Legal battles, especially high-profile ones, can be incredibly taxing on individuals and their relationships. When a third party, even an unwitting one like Taylor Swift, is drawn into such a conflict, it can create unforeseen pressures. The need for discretion, the potential for misunderstandings, and the sheer stress of the situation can strain even the strongest of bonds. The allegation about deleting text messages, whether true or not, introduces a layer of distrust or complexity that can be difficult to navigate.

The Silence Speaks Volumes (or Not)

At this stage, there’s no definitive public statement from either Taylor Swift or Blake Lively about the status of their friendship. They haven’t stepped out together publicly in months, a stark contrast to their previous frequent appearances. This silence, while understandable given the sensitive nature of the legal proceedings, only fuels the speculation.

With conflicting reports continuing to swirl, the true status of their friendship remains unclear. It's likely that the full picture won’t be known for sure until Swift and Lively speak out themselves, or until the legal drama fully subsides and their public interactions return to their previous frequency, or lack thereof.

Will It Survive?

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively have been friends since 2015. But Swift’s unwitting involvement in the Lively-Baldoni case has reportedly threatened their friendship. Will it survive? The answer remains to be seen. Friendships, even those between celebrities, are complex and require effort. The test of their decade-long bond now hinges on their ability to communicate, forgive, and navigate the external pressures that have unexpectedly intruded upon their private connection.

Final Summary

The long-standing friendship between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively, which began in 2015, has been reportedly strained by Blake Lively's legal dispute with Justin Baldoni. Taylor Swift's unwitting involvement, including a subpoena that was later dropped and allegations of text message deletion, has created significant tension. While some reports suggest their friendship has "halted" or is "tense" and "not the same as it was before," others claim they are "working on their friendship" or remain "good friends." They haven't been seen publicly together in months, and the true status of their bond remains uncertain, awaiting direct confirmation from Swift or Lively themselves.

Blake Lively makes rare comment on friendship with best friend Taylor

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively's Friendship Timeline | Blake and ryan

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s Friendship Timeline: A Guide

TalentScope