In a decisive ruling that brings relief to one of music’s biggest stars, Taylor Swift will not be deposed in the ongoing legal battle between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, according to a Friday evening (September 12, 2025) decision by federal Judge Lewis Liman.
The ruling effectively ends what had become a dramatic 24-hour legal saga that saw conflicting claims about whether the Grammy-winning artist had actually agreed to testify in the sexual harassment case. Judge Liman determined that Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios team “failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence” and waited too long to request the deposition.
Swift Never Agreed to Testify
Despite claims from Baldoni’s legal team that Swift had consented to a deposition, the pop superstar’s attorney quickly set the record straight. “My client did not agree to a deposition, but if she is forced into a deposition, we advised (after first hearing about the deposition just three days ago) that her schedule would accommodate the time required during the week of October 20 if the parties were able to work out their disputes,” wrote Swift’s lawyer Douglas Baldridge.
The confusion began on Thursday (September 11, 2025) when Baldoni’s attorneys filed court documents claiming Swift had agreed to be questioned under oath. However, Swift’s legal team responded within hours, clarifying that the “Love Story” singer had never actually consented to the deposition and would only participate if ordered by the court.
Too Little, Too Late for Baldoni’s Team
Judge Liman’s ruling highlighted the timing issues that ultimately doomed Baldoni’s request. “The only justification they 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,” the judge wrote. More damaging to Baldoni’s case was the fact that discovery had been ongoing for approximately six months, yet his team waited until the final days to contact Swift’s representatives.
The judge noted that Baldoni’s team had previously subpoenaed Swift for a deposition back in May 2025 but ultimately withdrew that request. “They have offered no evidence that they have served a renewed subpoena on Swift. Thus, at most, the Wayfarer parties have demonstrated that scheduling the deposition now presents logistical difficulties; that does not answer the question of why the deposition could not have been conducted earlier”.
Lively’s Team Cries Media Strategy
Blake Lively’s attorneys didn’t hold back in their criticism of Baldoni’s last-minute deposition attempt. “The Wayfarer Defendants have repeatedly sought to bring Ms. Swift into this litigation to fuel their relentless media strategy,” Lively’s legal team argued in court filings. They characterized the timing as “astounding” disrespect for Swift’s privacy and packed schedule.
“Ms. Swift is someone whose calendar should be presumed to be packed with professional obligations for months in advance. At any point over the past six months, the Wayfarer defendants could have noticed a deposition, served a subpoena and negotiated an agreeable time and place for this deposition. But they did not,” wrote Lively’s lawyer Michael Gottlieb.
Background on the Lawsuit
The underlying case stems from Lively’s allegations that Baldoni sexually harassed her during the filming of It Ends With Us and subsequently orchestrated a smear campaign against her when she complained. While Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was dismissed, Lively continues to pursue her claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Swift’s connection to the case comes through her longtime friendship with Lively and her contribution of the song “My Tears Ricochet” to the film’s soundtrack. In June, Judge Liman granted Baldoni’s request to access text messages between Swift and Lively as part of the discovery process, though the content of those communications remains under court seal.
What’s Next
With Swift officially out of the picture, the case moves forward without one of entertainment’s biggest potential witnesses. The trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026, and depositions for the main parties must be completed by September 30, 2025. Judge Liman did grant Lively’s team a 10-day extension to depose Baldoni and two of his Wayfarer Studios co-founders, citing delays in document production.
The ruling represents a significant victory for both Swift and Lively, effectively shutting down what many viewed as an attempt to generate media attention by involving one of the world’s most famous celebrities in an already high-profile Hollywood legal battle.
