Taylor Swift’s Silence in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal Battle: What Experts Are Saying

The ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and her "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni has drawn significant attention, and now, Taylor Swift’s silence on the matter is becoming a focal point. Lively and Baldoni are set to face each other in court in 2026 after failing to reach a settlement outside of court. This situation places Swift, who has been close friends with Lively since 2015, in a particularly awkward position.

While Swift has publicly distanced herself from the legal proceedings, the lawsuit initiated by Baldoni could potentially compel her to testify. The initial lawsuit was filed by Lively, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of "It Ends With Us." Baldoni has vehemently denied these accusations, claiming that Lively falsely accused him to salvage her reputation following negative feedback during the movie’s press tour, after she reportedly took more control over the project.

The Experts Weigh In

PR expert Adrienne Uthe told Fox News Digital, "Taylor has publicly distanced herself from this – and I get why. She likely hopes to stay out of the mess entirely. But that’s not reality. Like it or not, people want to hear her testimony. She’s staying silent because nothing good comes from getting involved – and honestly, who would want to if they were in her position? But her silence also says a lot. She appears aligned with Hollywood’s power players – and that tarnishes the ‘good girl’ image many of her fans have held onto."

Uthe, the founder of Kronus Communications, added, "People stay strategically quiet for many reasons, and sure, some stars just want to avoid the press – I respect that. But for someone as media-savvy as Taylor Swift to stay out of this? That speaks volumes. And frankly, we all want to hear her side."

Crisis communications expert Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, suggests that Swift’s silence indicates a careful consideration of her brand. "Yes, she just wrapped the first-ever billion-dollar tour and is arguably at the pinnacle of her popularity; however, last year, she isolated a lot of fans with her political affiliation (pro-Harris, anti-Trump) and there’s a certain market value she has to keep in mind: vanilla wins," Eldridge explained.

Eldridge elaborated, "In other words, vanilla ice cream isn’t many people’s favorite flavor, but if you serve it at a party, few people will have a problem with it. By way of analogy, staying out of the social media spotlight – and hopefully, off the witness stand in a courtroom – Swift preserves all sections and demographic segments of her fan-base bell curve." He compared Swift’s position to that of Lance Armstrong, who famously avoided political affiliations to maintain broad appeal. "If your best friend is 12 months away from trial but is losing another round of PR points every 12 minutes, it might be best to be more local than vocal. It’s become damage control for all parties involved, and Swift is no exception."

Swift as a Potential Witness

Entertainment lawyer Tre Lovell believes that Swift could be an effective witness if called to testify, citing her fame and likability. "She will have immediate credibility, which is crucial," Lovell stated. "However, once she testifies, then it will all depend on the cross-examination and if counsel is able to poke holes in her testimony."

Lovell cautioned that a strong cross-examination could diminish her perceived credibility. "The jury may be starstruck at first to see Taylor Swift testify, but that will quickly evaporate once she starts testifying and her credibility and veracity are on display. Remember, she’s not a party but a witness, so her celebrity factor will be limited to her witness testimony and whether or not she’s telling the truth or otherwise being accurate. No one is determining if she is guilty or liable, only assessing whether her testimony is relevant and believable."

Attorney Oleg Nekritin of the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot, emphasized that the court would likely disapprove of a "legal circus." "For Mr. Baldoni’s sake, the reasoning to depose Ms. Swift must be more than her being a bestie of Ms. Lively," Nekritin explained. He added that Baldoni would need to demonstrate that Swift possesses relevant information to the claims or defenses in the case if Swift attempts to quash a deposition subpoena.

Details of Baldoni’s Lawsuit

Baldoni’s lawsuit references Swift and Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, suggesting they might have information relevant to the case. Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn explained that Baldoni’s complaint alleges Swift may have been present for conversations where Baldoni felt Lively was pressuring him to accept her re-writes of a particular scene.

Furthermore, in a text message released by Baldoni, Lively referred to Swift and Reynolds as "dragons" who protect her, fueling speculation about their involvement in the conflict.

Baldoni also mentioned Swift in a timeline shared on his website, highlighting a text exchange between the film’s producer, a Sony Film executive, and a Sony marketing executive about Lively’s alleged escalating demands over the film’s release and a veiled threat over the use of Swift’s song, "My Tears Ricochet." The song was eventually used in the film’s trailer and a scene within the movie.

Resurfaced interviews also reveal that Swift may have been involved in casting Isabela Ferrer, who played the younger version of Lively’s character. Baldoni stated in an interview that he showed Ferrer’s casting tape to both Lively and Swift, and they both approved.

Impact and Implications

Swift’s silence has ignited intense speculation about her allegiances and the potential impact of her involvement. While she may be strategically avoiding the controversy to protect her brand, her silence is perceived as a statement in itself. As the legal battle progresses, the possibility of Swift being called to testify remains, potentially adding another layer of complexity to this already high-profile case. The world watches and waits to see if Taylor Swift’s silence will eventually be broken.