Taylor Swift’s unexpected involvement in Blake Lively’s highly publicized legal troubles with Justin Baldoni has severely impacted their decade-long friendship. Reports indicate that the relationship between the two A-list stars has become strained, with Swift, 35, reportedly cutting off communication with Lively, 37.
Sources told DailyMail.com that Swift had already taken a “step back” from the Gossip Girl alum, but the situation has deteriorated further, with Swift declining an invitation to the SNL 50th anniversary special, where Lively was also expected to attend. “Taylor is not communicating with Blake,” an insider revealed. “She was invited to SNL50, but with Blake there—and Kim Kardashian—it was the last place on earth she would be seen.”
The fallout from the legal drama surrounding Lively has left Swift reevaluating her close friendships. “Taylor is taking stock of which of her friends are good for her and who name drops her for personal gain after Blake-gate,” another insider added. Swift is also focused on her upcoming album and is determined not to let external factors affect her career.
The two former best friends have not been seen together in public for four months, with their last appearance being a double date with their partners, Ryan Reynolds and Travis Kelce, in October. Questions about their friendship arose when Lively skipped the Super Bowl, while Swift was spotted with collaborator Ice Spice and the Haim sisters.
The controversy escalated when Baldoni, Swift’s co-star in It Ends with Us, countersued Lively and Reynolds for $400 million. He alleged that Lively used Swift to intimidate him regarding script changes and claimed that the singer made him feel pressured to comply with Lively’s directions. In a dramatic twist, Lively allegedly compared herself to Daenerys Targaryen, a character from Game of Thrones, in messages related to the lawsuit, referring to her husband and Swift as her “dragons.”
Previously, Swift had shown support for Lively during the initial rumors of tension between her and Baldoni. Lively had sought refuge at Swift’s Rhode Island home to escape the media frenzy. However, as the legal battle unfolded, Swift found herself entangled in the drama, prompting her to take a step back from the friendship. “For the time being, she is taking a step back from Blake because she doesn’t want to get tangled in this more than she already has,” an insider explained.
Lively’s past behavior has also come under scrutiny as Reynolds appeared to make light of the situation during the SNL 50th anniversary special, leading to further backlash against the couple. In her lawsuit, Lively accused Baldoni of various forms of misconduct, including harassment and creating a hostile work environment. While Baldoni has denied these allegations, the tension between the two women remains palpable, with fans questioning whether their friendship can survive this tumultuous period.
