There’s a surprising update in the Taylor Swift chapter of this Blake Lively legal battle!
The pop star was subpoenaed by Justin Baldoni earlier this month — something that seemed to bring the former besties’ feud to a head. Taylor did NOT want to be involved in the trial. Her lawyers slammed the It Ends With Us director’s team for using her “name to draw public interest” and creating “tabloid clickbait.” Her rep noted her only involvement in the project was agreeing to license her track My Tears Ricochet for the film.
However, subpoena-gate took a wild turn last week when Justin’s attorney claimed there was a much more salacious reason they wanted to speak to Tay! In a letter to the judge (and subsequent sworn affidavit!), Bryan Freedman claimed someone close to Taylor reached out to him and revealed Blake tried to extort the pop star! Per his insider, the Gossip Girl alum threatened to release private texts from Taylor if she did not share a public statement of support. Blake would’ve shared 10 YEARS worth of texts, potentially exposing some of the Grammy winner’s intimate relationship details and worse! That’s a lot of dirt!
Related: Taylor Swift May Get The Chance To Buy Back Her Original Album Recordings!
Ultimately, the letter was tossed out! Meaning nothing about the accusation could be used in court. The damage is done already in the court of public opinion, of course! Tay is reportedly “done” with the actress now. And can you blame her? Would you stay in a friendship with someone who allegedly tried to coerce you into publicly supporting them? We don’t think so! This is diabolical behavior if true!
But when it comes to actual court, the legal process… We guess if they can’t ask about the extortion allegations, that’s all they wanted to talk to Tay about??
According to People on Thursday, Justin dropped the subpoena against Taylor and her law firm, Venable! Whoa! A spokesperson for Blake confirmed the news, saying they are “pleased” his legal team has “withdrawn their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm.” The statement continued:
“We supported the efforts of Taylor’s team to quash these inappropriate subpoenas directed to her counsel, and we will continue to stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process.”
Guess this includes Hugh Jackman if he gets subpoenaed one day…
Once again, Blake gets a win. And she’s taking a victory lap, too. Her spokesperson blasted Baldoni’s team for “exploiting” Taylor’s name — saying it was their plan since day one:
“The Baldoni and Wayfarer team have tried to put Taylor Swift, a woman who has been an inspiration for tens of millions across the globe, at the center of this case since day one. Exploiting Taylor Swift’s celebrity was the original plan in Melissa Nathan’s scenario planning document, and it continues to this day. Faced with having to justify themselves in federal court, they folded. At some point they will run out of distractions from the actual claims of sexual harassment and retaliation they are facing.”
Of course, Justin’s team have said it was Blake who was “exploiting Taylor Swift’s celebrity” in the first place. Hmm.
It’s been a wild few weeks for Taylor! The Cruel Summer artist — and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce — wanted nothing to do with Blake’s drama yet she got sucked right into the middle of it! But now, she gets to breathe a sigh of relief!
Taylor has not addressed the latest development in the lawsuit drama at this time — she’s stayed silent through ALL of this, that was the point of fighting the subpoena! But she must be thrilled to be excluded from her ex-pal’s narrative! What are your reactions, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF in the comments below!
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
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