By Frank Offiong-
NEW YORK — Pop superstar Taylor Swift is poised to give evidence under oath in the legal battle between her former friend, actress Blake Lively, and actor-director Justin Baldoni. Newly filed court documents reveal that Swift has been asked to provide a deposition after the release of her new album next month.
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively
The singer, 35, is expected to be deposed in the week of October 20, contingent on Baldoni’s legal team securing a deadline extension. A judge had previously ruled that Baldoni could access text messages between Swift and Lively related to the film It Ends With Us.
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The legal dispute stems from Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment against Baldoni, claims he has vehemently denied. Baldoni’s counter-suit for civil extortion and defamation was previously dismissed by the court.
Strained Friendship Between Swift and Lively
Swift’s involvement comes amid a public collapse of her decade-long friendship with Lively, who is godmother to one of Swift’s children. Insiders recently told the Daily Mail that Swift had been “ghosting” Lively’s attempts to reconcile, a claim that was seemingly confirmed by the lack of a public congratulatory message from Lively following Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce on August 26.
According to a source, Lively has now accepted that the relationship is over, at least for the time being. “Blake didn’t reach out and isn’t going to,” the source said, noting that Lively has “bigger fish to fry” with her ongoing legal case.
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Further Harassment Allegations Against Baldoni
The case has grown more complex as a new individual has come forward with a sworn declaration alleging “repeated, negative interactions” with Baldoni and his associates, including verbal abuse. The unnamed accuser, who worked on a different project with Baldoni’s company Wayfarer Studios, claimed that Baldoni was “not permitted on set during the majority of production” as a result of their experiences.
Justin Baldoni
Additionally, Lively has filed a motion seeking attorney’s fees, treble damages, and punitive damages, arguing that Wayfarer Studios’ defamation lawsuit against her was a retaliatory and “baseless” attack. The filing also cited alleged threats from Wayfarer co-founder Steve Sarowitz, who reportedly vowed to spend $100 million to “ruin the lives” of Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
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