Taylor Swift has been asked to give sworn testimony in the litigation between actress Blake Lively and actor‑director Justin Baldoni, according to newly filed court documents obtained by news outlets.
The filings indicate Baldoni’s lawyers want to depose Swift during the week of Oct. 20‑25 and have sought a limited extension of the discovery cutoff to accommodate her availability after the release of a new album next month. Baldoni’s attorneys told the court the request was narrowly tailored to permit Swift’s deposition and opposed a broader extension to the discovery schedule.
The potential testimony comes amid a protracted dispute that began in December 2024 when Lively sued Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a toxic work environment on the set of the film It Ends With Us. Baldoni has denied the allegations. He later filed defamation claims against Lively, her publicist and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, but a federal judge in June dismissed those counterclaims, concluding the contested statements were made in privileged court filings. Baldoni also filed a separate, high‑profile suit against The New York Times that was dismissed.
Earlier this year a judge allowed Baldoni to obtain certain text messages between Swift and Lively that relate to It Ends With Us, and the recent filings show Baldoni seeks the opportunity to question Swift under oath about communications and other matters. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, Baldoni lawyer Ellyn S. Garofalo said the Wayfarer parties requested only 'to take the deposition of Taylor Swift during the week of October 20‑25 due to Ms. Swift's preexisting professional obligations.'
Court documents lodged Sept. 4, 2025, and obtained by media outlets also include a sworn declaration from an individual whose name has been redacted alleging they experienced 'repeated, negative interactions' with Baldoni and his associates, including verbal abuse. That person said Baldoni was restricted from set during much of production and was asked not to take part in marketing or publicity, according to the declaration. Lively’s lawyers have indicated the witness may testify for Lively at trial.
In a separate 30‑page motion, Lively’s attorneys argue that Wayfarer Studios’ defamation suit against her was retaliatory and baseless, seeking attorney fees, treble damages and punitive damages under California Civil Code Section 47.1, which addresses retaliatory lawsuits against harassment complainants. The filing alleges Wayfarer executives sought to damage Lively’s credibility and to conceal unlawful conduct by flooding the public record with redacted exhibits and character attacks.
The motion also cites an alleged statement by Wayfarer co‑founder Steve Sarowitz, reported in court papers, that included a violent metaphor and a threat to ostracize Lively and her husband. Those assertions appear in Lively’s filing and are presented as allegations.
Representatives for Baldoni and Wayfarer did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Swift has not publicly commented on the litigation. Media reports have also cited sources saying Swift, who is a godmother to one of Lively’s children, has not been in regular contact with Lively amid the dispute. Swift’s recent engagement announcement to NFL player Travis Kelce drew public congratulations from many friends and colleagues; those reports noted Lively did not publicly acknowledge the announcement.
If the court grants the limited extension sought by Baldoni’s team, Swift’s deposition would take place in late October. The broader litigation remains active, with Lively pursuing damages and Baldoni previously pressing defamation claims that a federal judge dismissed in June. Further court rulings on discovery timing and evidentiary disputes are expected to shape the pace and scope of the case going forward.