Taylor Swift Deposition Blocked as Judge Rules Justin Baldoni Acted Too Late in Blake Lively Case

Swift deposition denied after Baldoni's delayed request; judge prioritizes timely legal process over last-minute tactics.

When Timing Is Everything: Taylor Swift’s Deposition Denied

Legal battles often twist and turn, especially when Hollywood stars are involved. The latest courtroom drama? A judge firmly shutting down Justin Baldoni’s last-minute attempt to depose Taylor Swift in Blake Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit stemming from the filming of It Ends With Us. If you thought this saga was just about accusations, think again—these legal maneuvers reveal how crucial timing can be in litigation.

On September 12, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman handed down a clear message: Baldoni and co-defendants at Wayfarer Studios waited too long to seek Swift’s deposition and missed their window of opportunity. While he gave Blake Lively’s team a 10-day extension to depose Baldoni and two others due to document delays, Swift’s deposition was a no-go.

Judge Liman’s No-Nonsense Take on Baldoni’s Delay

Judge Liman didn’t mince words in his ruling. The defendants claimed Swift was unavailable before October 20, 2025, but the judge pointed out a glaring omission: no explanation of when they even tried to schedule her deposition.

“The only justification [Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties] have provided for the extension is their assertion that Swift’s preexisting professional obligations now prevent her from appearing for a deposition prior to October 20, 2025,” Judge Liman wrote. “Discovery has been ongoing in this case for approximately six months.”

What really sealed Baldoni's fate? His earlier subpoena request for Swift’s deposition back in May 2025 – which was later withdrawn. No renewed subpoena followed, and the judge called this a failure in diligence.

“Having failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence, the requested extension is denied.”

Swift’s Side of the Story: No Agreement to Testify

Just a day before the ruling, Baldoni’s lawyer claimed Swift “agreed” to appear for deposition, but couldn’t fit it into her schedule before October 20. Swift’s legal rep fired back swiftly—pun intended.

J. Douglas Baldridge, Swift’s lawyer, clarified that she never agreed to the deposition and had only indicated that her busy schedule would prevent her from attending before that date if forced.

Swift’s packed calendar doesn’t just include court dates. She’s gearing up for the release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, 2025. Plus, she’s recently gotten engaged to American football star Travis Kelce, adding a sprinkle of personal excitement to her public life.

A Glimpse into the Legal Fray: The Origins of the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

The tension began last December when Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department. She accused the It Ends With Us director of "inappropriate and unwelcome behavior," also alleging attempts to tarnish her reputation.

Baldoni denied all allegations and countersued in January, including Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane. His countersuit sought a staggering $400 million, accusing Lively of extortion attempts. The fallout wasn’t just legal; Baldoni lost his talent agency William Morris Endeavor and had a women’s solidarity award rescinded amid the controversy.

Taylor Swift’s Unwanted Spotlight in the Legal Battle

Swift’s role in this saga sprung from Baldoni's defamation suit, which named her as a witness. The claim? Swift, a close friend of Lively’s, was present when Lively and Baldoni discussed script changes for the film.

Apparently, Baldoni was surprised to find Swift and Reynolds at Lively’s NYC home during these talks. The lawsuit alleges both Swift and Reynolds endorsed Lively’s script changes, pressuring Baldoni into accepting revisions.

The complaint even referenced Lively’s text messages describing Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons”—a playful nod to Game of Thrones:

“If you ever get around to watching Game Of Thrones, you’ll appreciate that I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for.”

This metaphor paints Swift and Reynolds as fierce protectors, an image that adds a layer of pop culture intrigue to the legal drama.

Blake Lively’s Lawyer Pushes Back Hard

Before the judge’s ruling, Lively’s attorney Michael J. Gottlieb expressed strong frustration at Baldoni’s camp for their persistent attempts to involve Swift.

“The Wayfarer defendants have repeatedly sought to bring Ms. Swift into this litigation to fuel their relentless media strategy... Ms. Swift is someone whose calendar should be presumed to be packed with professional obligations for months in advance.”

Gottlieb emphasized that Baldoni’s team had months to schedule the deposition, yet chose not to. Instead, they grabbed headlines when they first subpoenaed Swift in May 2025, only to withdraw it later. The lawyer accused them of trying to "generate a media spectacle" rather than pursue justice diligently.

A Long Road Ahead in This Star-Studded Legal Thriller

As this courtroom drama unfolds, it’s clear the stakes are high—not just for those involved but for the way Hollywood disputes play out in public view. Swift’s role, whether central or peripheral, has been fiercely contested, and the court’s decision reaffirms that procedure and timing matter just as much as the claims themselves.

For Swift, this ruling is a win—allowing her to focus on her music and personal milestones without the added stress of depositions. Meanwhile, the Lively vs. Baldoni case continues to captivate both legal pundits and pop culture enthusiasts.

If you want to revisit the movie that sparked all this, check out the official trailer for It Ends With Us below:

FAQ

• What was Justin Baldoni’s request regarding Taylor Swift?
  Baldoni sought to depose Taylor Swift in the ongoing lawsuit filed by Blake Lively, but his request was denied due to delays in seeking the deposition.
• Why did the judge deny Baldoni’s request for Swift’s deposition?
  The judge ruled Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios failed to show “good cause” and acted too late in the discovery process, missing the proper timeframe.
• Did Taylor Swift agree to be deposed?
  No, Swift’s lawyer clarified she never agreed to a deposition and only indicated schedule conflicts if forced to appear before October 20.
• What is the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni about?
  Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during It Ends With Us filming; Baldoni countersued for defamation and extortion claims.
• How is Taylor Swift involved in this lawsuit?
  Baldoni’s lawsuit named Swift as a witness, alleging she was present during discussions that influenced script changes, linking her indirectly to the dispute.

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