NEW YORK — Taylor Swift has reportedly consented to a deposition regarding the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, according to recent court documents filed by Baldoni’s legal team. The lawsuit stems from allegations made by Lively, who claims that Baldoni sexually harassed her during the filming of It Ends With Us and subsequently initiated a smear campaign in retaliation after she raised concerns.
Baldoni’s assertion that Swift is a crucial witness is linked to her close friendship with Lively. For months, he has maintained that her testimony could provide significant insights into the incident in question.
In June, a federal judge permitted Baldoni to obtain text messages exchanged between Swift and Lively as part of the discovery process. Baldoni’s team is now seeking to schedule Swift’s deposition during the week of October 20. They indicated in a court filing that Swift has agreed to participate but has professional commitments that prevent her from appearing sooner.
Currently, the schedule requires that all depositions be completed by the end of September in preparation for a trial set for March 2026. However, Baldoni’s lawyers have asked for an extension to accommodate Swift’s availability. The pop superstar is set to release her twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, complicating her schedule further. While Baldoni’s representatives claim she agreed to the deposition, Swift’s team has previously criticized Baldoni for "creating tabloid clickbait" by dragging her into this case, noting her limited role in the film.
Lively’s legal counsel has voiced criticism of Baldoni’s strategy, suggesting it aims to create a media circus surrounding the proceedings. They responded to Baldoni’s requests by insisting that his timing reflects a lack of diligence, suggesting he should have initiated contact with Swift’s representatives much earlier. “The Wayfarer defendants’ lack of diligence and disrespect for Ms. Swift’s privacy and schedule is astounding,” Lively’s attorney, Michael Gottlieb, remarked, emphasizing the challenges of coordinating with someone of Swift’s stature.
As the legal battle unfolds, Judge Lewis J. Liman has yet to make a decision regarding Baldoni’s request for extending the deadline for depositions. The conflict between Lively and Baldoni erupted in December when Lively accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni has vehemently denied the claims and countersued Lively and her associates for defamation, although those counterclaims were dismissed by Judge Liman due to legal inadequacies.
The Baldoni team has maintained from the outset that Lively exploited her relationships with influential public figures to pressure him while filming It Ends With Us.
As the case continues to develop, both parties remain poised for a significant trial abroad in the coming months.
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