Blake Lively revealed that she accessed texts from a friend of Taylor Swift. The texts were added as evidence against Justin Baldoni in her lawsuit against him.
Blake Lively says a Taylor Swift friend helped her find key Baldoni texts
According to TMZ, Lively discussed how she came into possession of texts on Jennifer Abel’s phone. Abel was the crisis publicist working with Justin Baldoni. The actress discussed the matter during her 2025 deposition in her case against Baldoni.
The texts became a focal point in the lawsuit against Baldoni. Lively sued Baldoni and others in late 2024, alleging sexual harassment and a coordinated effort to damage her reputation following disputes connected to “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni denied all allegations, and the case was eventually settled before trial.
Lively testified that she first heard about the messages through Ashley Avignone, a longtime friend of Taylor Swift. Avignone allegedly told Lively that PR executive Stephanie Jones had been trying to contact her.
The actress said Jones believed the content of the texts should come to Lively’s attention. Jones claimed that her employee Abel’s phone had “the most disturbing messages she’s ever read in her 20- to 30-plus-year career.” Lively further claimed that Jones said she was “sobbing reading the messages” and felt the actress deserved to know what had allegedly “been done to” her.
Moreover, Lively testified that Jones had previously tried to reach out to Lively’s longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, but was brushed aside. Lively said she later spoke to Jones over the phone. Following the conversation, her legal team subpoenaed the messages and incorporated them as evidence in the case against Baldoni.
The deposition testimony also highlighted the role that evidence, such as texts, can play in a courtroom. It also highlighted the role of industry publicists, who may have access to information that could become relevant to a legal case.
Lively is best known for starring in “Gossip Girl,” “The Age of Adaline,” and “A Simple Favor.”
