Explosive court documents have revealed a series of private text messages exchanged between Hollywood actress Blake Lively and global pop superstar Taylor Swift, shedding new light on the ongoing legal battle surrounding the film It Ends With Us. The messages, filed in federal court in New York, show the two celebrities trading unflattering remarks about director and co-star Justin Baldoni, whom Lively is suing for alleged sexual harassment.
"Doofus Director" and "Chaotic Clown": The Derogatory Descriptions
According to the legal papers, Lively initiated the conversation by reaching out to Swift for assistance, referring to Baldoni as "the doofus director of my movie". She further disparaged him in the texts, labelling him "a clown who thinks he's a writer now". Swift reportedly agreed to help her friend, responding with the enthusiastic pledge: "I'll do anything for you!" This set the stage for their collaborative efforts to influence the film's production.
Swift's Strategic Intervention and Script Endorsement
The documents detail how Lively persuaded Swift to meet with Baldoni at Lively's apartment to advocate for script revisions Lively desired. Following this meeting, Lively sent a grateful message to Swift, calling her "the world's absolute greatest friend ever" and recounting the encounter to her husband, Ryan Reynolds. She described Swift's performance as "epically heroic", noting how Baldoni appeared to fall for their tactics. Lively's legal team has contested the characterisation that Swift was doing Lively's "bidding", arguing instead that she was offering supportive friendship.
Allegations of a Hollywood Smear Campaign
Beyond the exchanges with Swift, the court filings allege that Lively bad-mouthed Baldoni to several other high-profile friends in the entertainment industry. It is claimed she described him to actor Ben Affleck as a "chaotic clown" and boasted about rewriting the script and effectively directing the film herself. The texts to Affleck stated she had to "direct the movie via the chaotic clown 'director'". While Lively's lawyers did not dispute the content of this message, they argued it must be understood within its proper context.
Discussions on Music and Media Strategy
The revealed correspondence also shows Lively and Swift discussing the strategic use of Swift's music in the film's trailer. Swift offered advice, suggesting that if Baldoni were strategic, he would avoid using her song to prevent giving Lively more leverage. Lively agreed, calling Baldoni "stupid" for not recognising this dynamic. Furthermore, texts from December 2024 show the pair discussing an impending New York Times article detailing Lively's allegations. Swift remarked that Baldoni likely suspected something was coming, sarcastically noting he had "gotten out his tiny violin".
The Core Legal Dispute and Baldoni's Defence
These text revelations form part of a much larger lawsuit in which Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment. One of the most serious allegations claims that during the filming of a dance scene, Baldoni dragged his lips down Lively's neck and made an inappropriate comment. Baldoni has vigorously denied all allegations and is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, filing a summary motion arguing that Lively's claims lack merit. His legal team contends that Lively attempted to undermine his authority throughout the production, even allegedly urging author Colleen Hoover and other friends to support her version of the film over his.
The case continues to unfold, with these private messages now entering the public domain as a pivotal element of the legal wrangling. The documents portray a behind-the-scenes power struggle in Hollywood, where personal friendships and professional rivalries collide in a very public courtroom drama.
