Swift and Jackman Allegedly Witnessed Reynolds-Baldoni Confrontation Over Lively’s Treatment
Recent court documents have brought new details to light in the ongoing legal battle between “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively. According to unsealed exhibits cited by People on November 27, Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman were allegedly present during a heated confrontation between Ryan Reynolds and Baldoni at Reynolds’ and Lively’s New York City penthouse on April 25, 2023. The timeline, reportedly sent by Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios co-founder Jamey Heath to the director’s publicist in July 2024, claims that Reynolds “unloaded” on Baldoni for allegedly inquiring about Lively’s weight. The document states that Reynolds accused Baldoni of “fat shaming Blake,” after which Baldoni allegedly felt “completely embarrassed and apologized and even shared some tears.” Baldoni’s legal team characterized the confrontation as “so aggressive that Baldoni felt he had no choice but to offer repeated (and completely unwarranted) apologies.” This revelation adds a celebrity dimension to the already high-profile dispute, as Swift and Jackman—longtime friends of Reynolds and Lively—were specifically mentioned as witnesses to the incident.
The presence of Swift at the meeting has been a point of contention throughout the legal proceedings. Previous reporting by TMZ in February cited a source claiming Swift arrived at the penthouse without prior knowledge of the scheduled meeting between the couples. According to this account, “Justin was about to leave after the 2-hour meeting as Taylor walked in, and she was introduced to him for the first and only time,” with Swift reportedly expressing enthusiasm about the film project to Baldoni “because he was her friend’s boss.” Swift’s team has repeatedly attempted to distance her from the case, especially after Baldoni’s lawyers released text messages referencing her in connection with the film’s rooftop scene. When formally subpoenaed by Baldoni’s attorneys in May, Swift’s spokesperson emphatically stated that she “never set foot on the set” of the film, made no “casting or creative decisions” beyond licensing her song “My Tears Ricochet” for use in the movie, and “did not even see ‘It Ends With Us’ until weeks after its public release” as she was traveling globally for her record-breaking tour.
The legal dispute began when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and lost wages. At the heart of Lively’s complaint are claims that Baldoni found “back-channel ways of criticizing her body and weight” during the film’s production. Her attorneys specifically alleged that “Lively was humiliated to learn that Mr. Baldoni secretly called her fitness trainer without her knowledge or permission, and implied that he wanted her to lose weight in two weeks.” Baldoni has consistently denied all allegations and even filed a countersuit in January, which was later dismissed. His legal team offered an alternative explanation for the trainer contact, claiming he reached out only because he needed to lift Lively in a scene and was concerned about aggravating a pre-existing back injury.
The legal proceedings have since escalated, with both sides attempting to gather supporting testimony from high-profile individuals. During the discovery process, Judge Lewis J. Liman rejected Baldoni’s team’s attempt to depose Swift, ruling it would fall outside the allotted timeline for discovery. In November, court documents revealed that both Swift and Jackman appeared on a list submitted by Lively’s lawyers of potential witnesses for the trial. Other notable names included Emily Blunt, Scooter Braun, and Gigi Hadid, all described as people “likely to have discoverable information” about the dispute surrounding the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Lively’s attorney has confirmed that the former “Gossip Girl” star intends to testify during the trial, which is currently scheduled to begin on March 9, 2026, unless the parties reach a settlement beforehand.
The case has generated significant media attention, not only because of the serious allegations involved but also due to the high-profile celebrities connected to it. Swift’s spokesperson made this point explicitly when responding to the subpoena, suggesting that “this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.” This statement highlights the complex intersection of legal proceedings and celebrity culture, where famous names can sometimes overshadow the substantive issues at stake. The controversy has also raised important questions about power dynamics on film sets, appropriate communication channels between directors and actors, and standards for addressing sensitive matters like an actor’s physical appearance.
As the legal battle continues toward its 2026 trial date, both Lively and Baldoni have maintained their respective positions. Lively’s allegations represent serious claims about workplace conduct in Hollywood, while Baldoni’s denials and explanations present an alternative narrative about the same events. The case illustrates how differently the same interactions can be interpreted by different parties, and how celebrity friendships and connections can become entangled in professional disputes. With major stars like Swift and Jackman potentially testifying, the trial promises to provide further insights into not just the specific allegations at hand but also broader issues about communication, respect, and professional boundaries in the entertainment industry. For now, fans of all the celebrities involved will have to wait as the legal process continues to unfold, with the possibility that additional details may emerge through settlement talks or further court filings before the scheduled trial begins.
