Lively’s team condemns Justin Baldoni’s lawyers for “bullying tactics,” including a proposal to sell tickets to her deposition and dragging Taylor Swift into the case.
New York, May 10: Blake Lively’s legal team has issued a sharp rebuke to what they describe as “circus-like tactics” in the ongoing legal dispute tied to It Ends With Us, condemning the suggestion from Justin Baldoni’s lawyers to sell tickets to her deposition and the subpoena of Taylor Swift.
“Mr. Baldoni, Mr. Sarowitz, and their team are treating this very serious legal matter as tabloid entertainment,” Lively’s representative said in a statement on Friday. “They’ve gone as far as suggesting her deposition be held at Madison Square Garden with ticket sales, and even subpoenaed Taylor Swift, a woman with no involvement beyond licensing a single song.”
Calling the actions “intimidating, bullying, and a blatant attack on women’s rights,” the rep said the defendants’ behavior reflects a disturbing disregard for the case’s core issue—allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
The case took a surprising turn when Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, proposed earlier this week that Lively’s deposition be livestreamed or ticketed at a major venue, with proceeds donated to domestic abuse charities.
“Since Ms. Lively is open to testifying, let’s make it count,” Freedman said. “Hold the deposition at MSG, sell tickets or stream it, and donate every dollar to organizations helping victims of domestic abuse.”
Swift, a close friend of Lively, was named in a message Lively had sent to Baldoni and was subpoenaed on May 9. Swift’s team responded that she had no creative involvement in the film beyond allowing her song “My Tears Ricochet” to be used.
“Taylor Swift never visited the set, made creative decisions, or saw the film before its release,” her spokesperson told People. “She was touring globally during production.”
Lively’s attorney Mike Gottlieb confirmed the actor would testify at the trial, scheduled for March 2026, and emphasized the need to refocus attention on what he calls the “retaliation campaign” against her.
“We believe this case centers on Blake raising valid concerns about sexual harassment and facing targeted retaliation for it,” Gottlieb said. “We hope discovery helps bring that truth to light.”
Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, has also been named in Baldoni’s countersuit. Lively’s legal team is working to have him dismissed from the case. Whether Reynolds will testify remains unclear.