Blake Lively’s Texts to Taylor Swift About ‘Doofus’ Justin Baldoni Unsealed: ‘World’s Absolute Greatest Friend Ever’

Partially unsealed text messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift have surfaced in the continuing legal dispute tied to It Ends With Us, with Baldoni’s legal team portraying the exchange as evidence that Lively leaned on outside influence during script disagreements.

In the messages included in newly available court exhibits, Lively allegedly referred to Justin Baldoni as “this doofus director of my movie” and called him “a clown” who “thinks he’s a writer now.”

Baldoni’s attorneys further allege that Lively asked Swift—who was reportedly already en route to Lively’s home while Baldoni was still there—to endorse Lively’s proposed script revision “even without having read it.” Swift allegedly replied, “I’ll do anything for you !!”

Afterward, Lively allegedly texted Swift that she was “so epically heroic today,” adding that she “recapped every moment” to her husband, Ryan Reynolds. In another alleged message, Lively praised Swift’s support and described Baldoni as “this clown,” writing that Swift was the “worlds absolute greatest friend ever.”

Lively’s attorneys, however, argue that the unsealed excerpts are incomplete and omit key context. In refilled exhibits dated Jan. 20, they pointed to Lively’s testimony in which she said she sent Swift the script as Swift was on her way over because Baldoni was still present, and that she asked Swift to read it—but emphasized she told Swift she didn’t have to and that she did not want her to feel pressured.

The texts were unsealed on Tuesday, Jan. 20, ahead of a summary judgment hearing in Lively’s case against Baldoni, 41, scheduled for Jan. 22.

Swift, 36, is not a party to the lawsuit, but her name has come up repeatedly in Baldoni’s filings as he argues Lively relied on external relationships during production disputes. Swift is also listed as a potential witness on a witness list submitted by Lively’s team, and Baldoni’s side attempted to subpoena Swift in May.

In a complaint filed in January 2025, Baldoni claimed Lively described Swift as one of her “dragons” in a text exchange and alleged the singer helped pressure him to accept rewrites. In the Jan. 20, 2026 filing, Lively’s team did not deny the phrasing but again said the excerpts lack context, citing what they described as the “complete” exchange—including follow-up messages from Lively to Baldoni stating that “we all benefit” from her relationship with Reynolds and Swift and adding, “you will too, I can promise you.”

Swift’s representatives pushed back after the May 2025 subpoena attempt, distancing her from the film and stating she had no role in casting or creative decisions, did not score the film, did not see edits or provide notes, and did not watch It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release. The representative said Swift’s only connection to the project was permitting the use of one song, “My Tears Ricochet,” and accused Baldoni’s side of using her name to generate tabloid attention rather than focus on the case.

The broader dispute began in December 2024, when Lively sued Baldoni alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit, which was dismissed in June by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.

Trial is currently scheduled to begin May 18.