Taylor Swift's Deposition Request Denied in Blake Lively's Harassment Case Against Justin Baldoni

In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has denied Justin Baldoni’s recent attempt to depose pop superstar Taylor Swift in the ongoing legal battle involving actress Blake Lively. The case centers around Lively’s claims of sexual harassment and retaliation during the filming of the movie It Ends With Us.

The court’s decision, issued on Friday, highlighted Baldoni and his co-defendants at Wayfarer Studios’ failure to act in a timely manner. The judge noted that they had waited too long to request the deposition, which ultimately led to the denial of their last-minute bid. While Lively was granted a 10-day extension to depose Baldoni and two other individuals, the judge found that Baldoni and Wayfarer did not demonstrate sufficient justification for needing a similar extension for Swift’s deposition.

In his order, Judge Liman pointed out that Baldoni’s team had initially sought Swift’s deposition back in May 2025 but later withdrew that request. He remarked, “They have offered no evidence that they have served a renewed subpoena on Swift,” and emphasized that their logistical difficulties did not justify the delay.

Baldoni’s attorney, Ellyn S. Garofalo, had claimed in a letter to the court that Swift had “agreed” to appear for a deposition but was unavailable until after October 20, 2025. However, Swift’s lawyer, J. Douglas Baldridge, quickly set the record straight, clarifying that Swift had never agreed to the deposition and that her busy schedule, which includes her recent engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce and the upcoming release of her album The Life of a Showgirl on October 3, left no room for such commitments.

The drama of this case has unfolded against a backdrop of serious allegations from Lively, who is suing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios for what she describes as “disturbing” sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us. Lively alleges that Baldoni subjected her to inappropriate comments and attempts to include graphic scenes that made her uncomfortable, including a particularly invasive question about her personal life with husband Ryan Reynolds.

Swift’s involvement in the case arose when Baldoni filed a counter-defamation lawsuit against Lively, which included claims that Swift was present during a crucial meeting regarding script changes. This connection has drawn significant media attention, especially given Swift’s previous close friendship with Lively. However, Swift has consistently maintained that she had no material role in the production of the film, a stance echoed by her legal representation.

Lively’s legal team has expressed frustration over Baldoni’s attempts to bring Swift into the litigation, accusing him of using her name to generate media interest rather than focusing on the substantive issues at hand. They argue that Baldoni’s actions demonstrate a lack of respect for Swift’s schedule and privacy.

As the case continues to unfold, it brings to light broader issues of harassment and the complexities surrounding celebrity involvement in legal matters. The legal battle is not only a personal struggle for Lively but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry. With the discovery deadline approaching, all eyes will remain on this high-profile case as it develops in the coming weeks.