Taylor Swift Called Justin Baldoni “Bitch” in Text Messages to Blake Lively—Unsealed Court Documents Expose Private Conversations in $500M Sexual Harassment Case

Text messages between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively were unsealed January 21, 2026 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, revealing Swift called “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni a “bitch” and discussed his behavior with Lively as part of the actress’s ongoing sexual harassment lawsuit. The communications, filed as evidence in Lively’s case against Baldoni, show Swift writing “I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin” in December 2024—days before The New York Times published allegations of a coordinated smear campaign against Lively.

Here’s what the unsealed documents reveal and why they matter for the May 2026 trial.

What the Unsealed Text Messages Contain

The court filings released January 21, 2026 include multiple text exchanges between Swift and Lively spanning from April 2023 through December 2024.

In the December 2024 message, Swift referenced a People Magazine article where Baldoni discussed being “sexually traumatized” by an ex-girlfriend. Swift told Lively the timing seemed calculated, adding “This is so disgusting and I hate that he’s clever about this s–t.”

Earlier messages from April 2023 show Lively asking Swift for help dealing with “this doofus director.” Lively described Baldoni as a “clown” who “thinks he’s a writer now” after he provided script revisions.

Swift responded enthusiastically: “I’ll do anything for you!!”

After a meeting at Swift’s New York penthouse where Baldoni was present, Lively texted Swift: “You were so epically heroic today. I recapped every moment to Ryan. I kept remembering stuff—You making s— up about me and lenses. And referring to yourself as my doll. This clown falling for all of it.”

How These Messages Relate to the Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during filming of “It Ends With Us,” as well as retaliation after she raised workplace safety concerns.

She formalized this into a federal lawsuit on December 31, 2024 in the Southern District of New York.

The text messages were unsealed as part of Lively’s opposition to Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment. Baldoni’s legal team argues the communications prove Lively coordinated with Swift and others to damage his reputation.

Lively’s attorneys dispute this interpretation. Attorney Sigrid McCawley stated the unsealed documents show “the consistent reaction numerous women, cast, crew, executives, partners, co-host and even his own PR team had working with Justin Baldoni.”

The messages are being used by both sides to support competing narratives about what happened during production of the 2024 film.

Legal Significance of the Public Disclosure

Court documents became public after Judge Lewis J. Liman ordered hundreds of exhibits unsealed ahead of a hearing this week.

The disclosure matters because it provides context about Lively’s support network and state of mind during the alleged harassment. Swift’s involvement demonstrates Lively confided in close friends about workplace concerns as events unfolded.

Baldoni’s team argues the texts show premeditation and coordination. They claim Swift agreed to endorse script changes “even without having read” the revised version, suggesting improper influence over production.

Lively’s lawyers counter that the language was “informal and personal rather than threatening” and doesn’t establish coordination with media coverage.

Similar to the Justin Baldoni lawsuit developments where his $400 million defamation countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, these text messages represent another chapter in the evidentiary battle.

Timeline of Legal Proceedings and Disclosure

December 20, 2024: Lively filed California Civil Rights Department complaint alleging sexual harassment

December 31, 2024: Lively filed federal lawsuit in New York; Baldoni sued The New York Times for $250 million

January 2025: Baldoni filed $400 million countersuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane

June 9, 2025: Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and extortion suit, finding Lively’s sexual harassment accusations “legally protected” as part of a legal proceeding

January 21, 2026: Court unsealed text messages between Swift and Lively as part of evidence filings

May 18, 2026: Trial scheduled to begin (delayed from original March 9 date)

What Taylor Swift’s Involvement Means

Swift’s role in the case remains limited despite the text messages. Her spokesperson emphasized that Swift “never set foot on the set” of “It Ends With Us” and had no involvement in casting, editing, or production decisions.

Swift’s only connection to the film was licensing her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the soundtrack—the same service 19 other artists provided.

When Baldoni’s team attempted to subpoena Swift as a witness in 2025, her representatives called it “designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”

The unsealed messages show Swift offered emotional support to Lively but don’t indicate active participation in business or legal decisions about the film.

Current Case Status and Next Steps

Lively’s amended complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages approaching $500 million for sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation.

The lawsuit alleges a “multi-tiered plan” by Baldoni and his team to destroy Lively’s reputation through a coordinated PR campaign.

Baldoni denies all allegations. His attorney Bryan Freedman stated they have “evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie” by Lively.

The case proceeds to trial May 18, 2026 in Manhattan federal court before Judge Liman.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Taylor Swift and Blake Lively still friends?

The text messages suggest their friendship remained strong throughout the “It Ends With Us” production and legal proceedings, with Swift offering consistent support to Lively during the workplace conflict.

Can Taylor Swift be forced to testify at trial?

Swift’s team successfully fought a 2025 subpoena attempt, arguing her minimal involvement with the film makes her testimony irrelevant. The court has not issued any current subpoena requiring her testimony.

What exactly did Blake Lively accuse Justin Baldoni of doing?

Lively’s complaint details allegations including unwanted sexual comments, showing her explicit images and videos, discussions of pornography addiction, weight-related inquiries, and retaliation through a coordinated media campaign after she raised concerns.

When will the lawsuit be decided?

The trial is scheduled to begin May 18, 2026. Given the complexity and high-profile nature of the case, the proceedings could last several weeks before reaching a verdict.

How much money is Blake Lively seeking?

Lively’s amended complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages but doesn’t specify an exact amount. Legal observers estimate the total claim approaches $500 million based on court filings and the scope of alleged damages.

Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice.

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About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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