Blake Lively & Taylor Swift: Unraveling Their Friendship Amidst Legal Drama

Kim Schaden 14 Jul 2025

For years, the friendship between actress Blake Lively and music superstar Taylor Swift has been a beacon of celebrity camaraderie. From cozy nights in to public displays of support, their bond has consistently captivated fans, often serving as a prime example of "friendship goals." However, recent developments have cast a spotlight on their seemingly unbreakable connection, putting it at the very center of a high-profile legal battle involving Lively's former "It Ends With Us" co-star, Justin Baldoni.

What began as a decade-long bond, celebrated through shared milestones and quiet moments, has reportedly faced unprecedented strain. With allegations of pressure, leaked private texts, and a subpoena involving Swift herself, many are left wondering: Can this iconic friendship withstand the storm?

A Decade of Friendship: The Foundation

Blake Lively and Taylor Swift's friendship dates back to 2015, quickly blossoming into one of Hollywood's most cherished celebrity pairings. Their bond wasn't just for show; it was woven into the fabric of their personal lives, marked by genuine support and shared experiences.

How It All Began (2015)

The duo reportedly connected through mutual friends and quickly found common ground. Their early interactions were often low-key, fostering a bond away from the intense glare of the paparazzi. Over time, their friendship grew stronger, becoming a reliable constant in their high-profile lives.

Iconic Moments and Deep Connections

Their friendship has been punctuated by numerous memorable public appearances and heartwarming private gestures:

Saturday Night Live Support: In 2021, Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, famously pulled up to Saturday Night Live to support Taylor Swift's spot as musical guest. It was a monumental night for Swift, as she performed the 10-minute version of "All Too Well" for the first time, a moment made even more special by her friends' presence.
NFL Game Appearances: The two have often been spotted together enjoying NFL games, showcasing their easy camaraderie. Most notably, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively were seen as "friendship goals" at a Kansas City Chiefs game against the New York Jets, enjoying the NFL game from the stands.
Special Connection to Lively & Reynolds' Kids: Swift shares a unique bond with Lively and Ryan Reynolds' children. The names of their daughters—James, Inez, and Betty—were famously featured in Swift's 2020 album "folklore," a testament to the depth and personal nature of their friendship.

These moments painted a picture of an enduring and supportive friendship, seemingly immune to the usual pressures of celebrity life.

The Storm Brews: The Justin Baldoni Legal Drama

The tranquil waters of their friendship began to churn in late 2024 when Blake Lively became entangled in a complex legal battle with her former "It Ends With Us" co-star, Justin Baldoni. This dispute, involving suits and countersuits over allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, quickly escalated, drawing in an unexpected third party: Taylor Swift.

"It Ends With Us" and the Lawsuit

Lively and Baldoni's legal entanglement stems from their work on the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's popular novel, "It Ends With Us." In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni, initiating a series of lawsuits and countersuits where both parties are suing for millions. This high-stakes legal drama quickly put Lively's professional life under intense scrutiny.

Taylor Swift Dragged In

The true shockwave for fans of the Lively-Swift friendship came when Taylor Swift's name surfaced in the legal proceedings. Blake Lively's friendship with the music superstar became a central point of contention in the legal battle. Attorneys for Justin Baldoni made explosive claims, alleging that Blake Lively pressured her friend Taylor Swift to show support amid her legal battle with Baldoni.

Further complicating matters, texts from Lively's phone were reportedly included in Baldoni's legal filings. In these texts, Lively reportedly described Swift as one of her "dragons"—a term that, while potentially endearing in context, raised eyebrows when presented in a legal document. It was also revealed that Taylor had only agreed to license her song "My" in connection with the legal proceedings, indicating a limited, perhaps unwilling, involvement.

The Reported Strain

As the legal drama unfolded, reports began to emerge suggesting a significant strain on the celebrated friendship. While initial sources confirmed to PEOPLE that "Taylor Swift and Blake Lively's friendship remains unscathed amid the Justin Baldoni legal drama," later reports painted a different picture.

Insiders began to share how Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s rift had reportedly grown apart amid the 'It Ends With Us' star’s legal battle. Speculation intensified with Blake Lively’s noticeable absence from the 2025 Super Bowl, where Swift was famously seen cheering for her boyfriend Travis Kelce. This absence, coupled with reports of Swift's absence from other close friend gatherings, fueled rumors of a significant cooling off between the two.

Reports even suggested that Taylor Swift and Blake Lively were reportedly still not speaking, despite Justin Baldoni dropping the pop superstar’s subpoena. This indicated that even with Swift no longer legally compelled to be involved, the personal tension between the friends persisted.

Navigating the Waters: Is Their Friendship Unscathed?

The conflicting reports surrounding Blake Lively and Taylor Swift's friendship have left many fans confused. On one hand, there were early reassurances that the bond remained strong; on the other, persistent rumors of a rift and silence. So, where do they stand now?

Conflicting Reports and Early Dismissals

Initially, some sources downplayed the severity of the situation, with reports suggesting that "the controversy over Blake Lively allegedly strong arming pal Taylor Swift for support in the Justin Baldoni lawsuits turned out to be very short-lived." This implied that any friction was momentary and quickly resolved.

However, as the legal battle continued, the narrative shifted. Sources began shedding light on the state of Taylor Swift’s fractured decade-long friendship with Blake Lively, particularly after the pop star was dragged into the actress’ messy legal battle.

Subpoena Dropped, But Tension Lingers

A significant development occurred when Taylor Swift was no longer being subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle. This was a relief for Swift, removing her from the direct legal entanglement. Yet, despite this, reports indicated that "things between her and Blake are still reportedly tense. To the point where they aren't speaking." This suggests that the impact of the legal drama extended beyond the courtroom, creating a personal strain that even the removal of the subpoena couldn't immediately mend.

However, there's a glimmer of hope. Recent updates suggest that "Taylor Swift and Blake Lively are working on their friendship amid the legal drama involving the Justin Baldoni lawsuit." This implies that while the relationship faced a significant challenge, both parties are reportedly making efforts to repair it.

The Road to Forgiveness?

Despite the "dragons" text and the reported tension, sources close to Swift have indicated that "Swift, 35, reportedly has no bad blood with Lively, 37, despite the actress' texts." This suggests that Swift might be more understanding or forgiving of the circumstances, potentially paving the way for reconciliation.

Insiders have shared discussions about "whether there’s a road to forgiveness," indicating that while the rift was real, the possibility of mending their bond remains open. The question that lingers is whether their friendship, forged over years of shared laughter and support, can truly survive the "unwitting involvement" of Swift in the Lively-Baldoni case.

The friendship between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift has been a testament to enduring bonds in the fickle world of celebrity. While the Justin Baldoni legal drama undeniably cast a long shadow, reportedly causing a significant rift and period of silence between the two, recent indications suggest efforts are being made to mend what was fractured. From iconic moments of mutual support to the challenging waters of legal entanglement, their journey highlights the complexities and resilience of true friendship. Whether they fully return to their "friendship goals" status remains to be seen, but the foundation of their decade-long bond suggests a path to reconciliation is certainly possible.

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