Pop superstar to sit for deposition over alleged set misconduct in It Ends With Us case; trial looms as discovery heats up.
NEW YORK | Global music icon Taylor Swift has agreed to sit for a deposition in the high-profile lawsuit between Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni, according to newly filed court documents. The development marks a dramatic twist in the ongoing legal saga tied to the film adaptation of 'It Ends With Us'.
Swift is expected to be questioned about her private conversations with Lively regarding the conditions on set. Baldoni’s legal team previously secured permission to obtain messages between the two friends, after Lively’s attorneys sought to block Swift’s involvement.
The case stems from Lively’s lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, including claims that he and film executives orchestrated an online smear campaign after she raised complaints. A federal trial in New York is scheduled for spring 2026.
Discovery Showdown
Court filings reveal mounting tension in the discovery phase. Lively has already been deposed, while her team is seeking to question Baldoni, producer Steven Sarowitz, and publicist Jamey Heath. They argue that Baldoni’s lawyers have delayed turning over critical Signal messages.
In turn, Baldoni’s camp has requested a limited extension to schedule Swift’s deposition between October 20–25, 2025, citing the singer’s “preexisting professional obligations.” They oppose Lively’s broader request to push back all discovery deadlines.
Though Swift is not a party in the lawsuit, her role as a third-party witness has drawn enormous media attention. Lively’s attorneys accuse Baldoni’s team of exploiting Swift’s celebrity to generate publicity, a charge Baldoni’s side denies.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has previously suggested that Lively tried to pressure Swift into issuing a supportive statement—an allegation later struck from the court record. Earlier subpoenas targeting Swift’s communications were withdrawn, but her testimony is now officially set.
With depositions underway and trial preparation accelerating, the case promises to remain one of the most closely watched Hollywood legal battles in years.
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-- By Lakisha Brown
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