Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, 41, regarding allegations of sexual harassment seemed to rope in Taylor Swift, 36, even from the early days.

In fact, rumors quickly emerged that a strain was put on Taylor and Blake, 38, with a variety of theories spreading like wildfire. Neither Blake nor Taylor publicly acknowleded the claims directly, but Justin’s team seemed keen on bringing the pop star in on the action.

They even tried to subpoena the Opalite singer, an attempt that was withdrawn after Taylor’s team attempted to have it quashed. Nonetheless, messages between Taylor and Blake were ultimately included in freshly released court documents, giving a bit of insight on what exactly rattled the singer about the situation — and it had nothing to do with the allegations or legal debacle itself.

On December 4, 2024, Blake, according to court documents obtained by the Mirror US, reached out to Taylor less than a month before the case was filed. However, even then, Blake seemed aware that their messages could go public, forcing her to become a bit more rigid in her words.

Blake’s communication style was actually what seemed to drive a wedge between them. The actress asked Taylor, “Is everything ok?” She added, “I felt like a bad friend lately because I was such a sad sack who only talked about her own s–t for months.”

She further praised Taylor for her generosity and acknowledged that the Showgirl was dealing with her own issues, too. Blake asked how she could be a “better friend” at that time.

Taylor, for her part, didn’t deny that there was something off. However, she acknolwedged she knows what it’s like to go through these sort of public battles. “I know how all consuming it is,” she said. The pop star then pointed out that reading Blake’s texts felt like “reading a mass corporate email sent to 200 employess.” Specifically, Taylor called out Blake’s use of the word “we” rather than a more intimate “I.”

Further, she stressed that she just missed her friend and felt “distanced” in a way that was more than “geographically.” Taylor ended her messages begging to have her friend back, saying, “You don’t need to apologize.”

Blake was sympathetic, explaining that she felt “digitally paranoid” about anything put in text. “I’ve been texting like I’m writing,” she told her friend. “Not like me talking. I didn’t realize that until you pointed it out, but I see it.”

The It Ends With Us star elaborated that she feels “misunderstood,” forcing her to overexplain herself. She accused Justin of giving her an “identity crisis.” Plus, Blake expresed that people in her close circle have turned on her, so she’s become “over the top” when communicating with the people who have stayed, like Taylor.

In response, Taylor seemed to accept Blake’s apology as they returned quickly to a humorous banter and discussed what was then an upcoming legal fiasco.

Taylor even offered some advice to Blake, telling her that the “only way to beat liars and hypocrites” is with their own words, which is something Taylor has experience with herself. “It’s like a horror film no one knows is taking place,” Taylor said about Blake’s situation.

In the lawsuit, which Blake filed against a Wayfarer Studios entity, including Justin, she accused the actor of sexual harassment. Plus, she further claimed that a smear campaign was manufactured against her by his PR team. Justin denied the allegations, countering with a defamation claim which was dismissed.

The Express US contacted representatives for Blake, Taylor, and Justin regarding the recently released messages.