Amid a high-profile legal battle involving allegations against Justin Baldoni, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively strive to rebuild trust, navigating a friendship altered but not broken.
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s once-close friendship is evolving as the two women find themselves entangled in a complex legal dispute involving Lively’s co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. While the pair are working towards being “on good terms,” sources close to the situation reveal that their relationship is not quite the same as it was before.
The Grammy-winning singer, 35, and the actress, 37, have not been spending as much time together recently, marking a shift from their previously close bond. According to an exclusive source speaking with PEOPLE, “Taylor is working to trust Blake again but it’s going to take some time.”
The roots of their friendship trace back to 2015, sparked by a playful nod from Lively referencing Swift’s iconic “Bad Blood” music video during a L’Oréal campaign. Over the years, they shared moments of connection and camaraderie, often seen supporting one another at events.
However, recent developments have complicated their relationship. Blake Lively filed a formal complaint in December 2024 against Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment on the set of their upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends With Us. Beyond harassment, Lively accused Baldoni of orchestrating a deliberate smear campaign aimed at tarnishing her reputation — allegations brought to light in a detailed New York Times investigation titled, “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.”
In response, Baldoni vehemently denied all claims and launched a countersuit worth $400 million, accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their PR team of defamation and extortion. His lawsuit also references Taylor Swift, alleging she was present at a meeting in Lively’s New York City penthouse concerning script revisions for the film. Baldoni’s suit claims Lively wielded her connections with Swift and Reynolds as “absolute titans” in the industry to intimidate him, calling them her “dragons” who defend her interests.
Baldoni even acknowledged Swift’s indirect involvement in communications about the project, stating in a text that the revisions made the film “so much more fun and interesting,” crediting the influence of Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, encompassing both their claims and countersuits, is set to be heard in court in March 2026. As the case unfolds, it remains clear that Swift and Lively are attempting to navigate the turbulent waters of this controversy while carefully rebuilding their personal relationship.
Despite the challenges, fans and insiders continue to watch closely as these two prominent figures work to regain the trust and closeness that marked their friendship in years past. While the dynamics may have shifted, there is cautious optimism that with time and understanding, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s bond can find its footing once again.
