Taylor Swift Allegedly Called Justin Baldoni a “Bitch” in Texts With Blake Lively, Court Docs Say
The legal battle surrounding the film adaptation of It Ends with Us has taken an explosive turn, dragging one of the world’s biggest pop stars into the center of the controversy.
New court documents obtained by Variety reveal that Taylor Swift did not hold back her opinions regarding director and co-star Justin Baldoni. In a text exchange with her longtime friend Blake Lively, Swift used sharp language to describe the filmmaker during the height of behind-the-scenes tensions.
According to the filings, the conversation took place in 2024 as rumors of a rift between the cast and director began to circulate publicly. Swift and Lively were discussing a pending exposé by The New York Times that was expected to detail the feud. Reacting to the situation, Swift texted Lively, “I think this b*** knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.”
The documents suggest that animosity toward Baldoni had been brewing for quite some time before the text exchange with Swift occurred. A year prior to the pop star’s comments, Lively had already expressed her disdain for the director in messages to Swift. In those earlier texts, Lively referred to Baldoni as the “doofus director of my movie” and further disparaged his creative input.
Lively reportedly described him as a “clown” who “thinks he’s a writer now,” signaling a deep lack of respect for his vision early in the production process. These private communications were submitted as part of a larger flood of allegations against Baldoni regarding his on-set conduct. Lively and other cast members have accused him of inappropriate behavior that created a hostile work environment.
The court filings outline significant creative disagreements that plagued the development of the hit film. Lively was so dissatisfied with Baldoni’s direction that she eventually created her own cut of the movie. In her court declaration, she argued that Baldoni’s version of the film “marginalized the female characters” and fundamentally misunderstood the source material.
She went on to claim that his edit “glorified the abuser,” a serious accusation given the story’s focus on domestic violence survival. The tension eventually spilled over into the film’s promotional tour, which became infamous for the visible distance between the lead actors. Lively refused to appear alongside Baldoni or producer Jamey Heath for press events, alleging they were trying to ruin her reputation.
“They painted themselves as the victims and me as a bully,” Lively stated in the documents regarding the press tour fallout. She explained that her refusal to photograph with them was a principled stand against their behavior. “I was not willing to endorse Baldoni or Heath personally by appearing alongside or promoting the Film with them,” she added.
Lively has since sued Baldoni, his publicist, and the film’s producers for harassment and retaliation. The legal team for Baldoni has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, characterizing Lively’s complaints as “minor grievances” rather than actionable offenses. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for this Thursday, while the trial is currently set for May 18.
Blake Lively remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses, having transitioned from her breakout role in Gossip Girl to a successful film career. She has starred in box office hits such as The Shallows, The Age of Adaline, and A Simple Favor. Beyond acting, she has garnered respect as a producer and director, notably directing the music video for Taylor Swift’s I Bet You Think About Me.
Taylor Swift, who recently concluded her record-breaking Eras Tour, has been a close confidante of Lively for years. The singer has been dominating the music industry with recent re-recordings of her catalog and her latest album, The Life of a Showgirlt. While she rarely involves herself in film industry disputes, her loyalty to Lively is well-documented through their public appearances and social media interactions.
Justin Baldoni, best known for his role as Rafael Solano on the TV series Jane the Virgin, has pivoted to directing in recent years. He founded Wayfarer Studios and directed the tear-jerker drama Five Feet Apart before taking on It Ends with Us. As a director, he has frequently spoken about exploring themes of masculinity and vulnerability in his work.
It Ends with Us is based on the colossal bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, which became a cultural phenomenon on TikTok. The story follows Lily Bloom as she navigates a new relationship with Ryle Kincaid while grappling with her past and the return of her first love, Atlas Corrigan. The film stars Lively as Lily, Baldoni as Ryle, and Brandon Sklenar as Atlas.
Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, the movie was a significant financial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide. However, the production remains a topic of intense debate regarding the portrayal of domestic abuse themes. The upcoming trial promises to shed even more light on the fractured relationship between the film’s key creative forces.
Tell us if you think these private texts should have been admissible in court in the comments.
