Justin Baldoni has filed an objection to Blake Lively’s motion to redact the names of high-profile friends including Taylor Swift and Ryan Reynolds in their ongoing legal dispute, with a court hearing scheduled for January 22, 2026.
The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively began in December 2024 when Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress related to their work on the film ‘It Ends With Us.’ Baldoni responded with a countersuit in January 2025, which was dismissed in June 2025, while Lively’s case remains active.
In documents filed on January 13, 2026, Baldoni’s lawyers argued against Lively’s request to seal records involving celebrities, stating that ‘not one of [Lively’s] requests meets the high standard for sealing.’ They emphasized that the identities of potential witnesses, such as Swift and Reynolds, are already public and relevant to the case.
Lively had sought to redact the names to protect her friends’ public images, describing Reynolds as an ‘innocent third party.’ However, Baldoni’s team pointed out Reynolds’ active involvement, including rewriting a scene and confronting Baldoni over a body-shaming comment. Other celebrities mentioned include Hugh Jackman, Emily Blunt, and America Ferrera.
The feud escalated in early 2025 when Baldoni included text messages in his filing where Lively referred to Swift and Reynolds as her ‘dragons,’ implying they pressured Baldoni. Swift was subpoenaed as a witness in May 2025, but the summons was dropped the following month. Despite this, Swift provided availability for a deposition if forced.
The trial is set for May 18, 2026, with a hearing on the sealing motion scheduled for January 22. The case has drawn significant media attention due to the involvement of A-list celebrities and the acrimonious nature of the dispute.
Reports indicate that Lively and Swift’s friendship has cooled, with sources saying they have had no contact since October 2025. The outcome of the hearing could influence the transparency of the trial and set precedents for celebrity lawsuits.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case underscores the complexities of high-profile collaborations and the public scrutiny that accompanies disputes among celebrities.
