Blake Lively‘s unsealed text messages with Taylor Swift, email to Ben Affleck and statements from Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer’s depositions about Justin Baldoni have been unveiled amid the ongoing It Ends With Us legal drama.
Lively first filed a complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director in December 2024 for sexual harassment and an alleged coordinated effort to destroy her reputation. Lively also alleged that Baldoni and company engaged in a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal team slammed the complaint as “shameful” and one that includes “serious and categorically false accusations.” Baldoni responded with his own lawsuit, but that was dismissed in June.
Amid the drama, much speculation arose about the thoughts of those who worked on the film and a possible inclusion of Lively’s close friend Swift. On Tuesday, a transcript of Slate’s deposition, held on Sept. 26, 2025, in New York, and Ferrer’s deposition were unsealed, along with other evidence and documents including unsealed text messages between Lively and Swift about Baldoni.
Below, THR compiles the various texts, depositions and emails unsealed earlier this week. A trial for the case is set for May 18.
Jenny Slate
During her deposition, several of the Slate’s texts were read aloud, and she addressed on-set issues working with Baldoni and Wayfarer producer Jamey Heath. (Slate played Allysa, Baldoni’s onscreen sister, in It Ends With Us.) She also claimed that she and Lively “both complained directly” to the studio.
In one message, Slate stated that filming the movie “has been a really gross and disturbing shoot, and I’m one of many who feel [this] way.”
“Justin is truly a false ally and I’m unwilling to do anything that promotes the image that he’s crafting as a ‘male feminist,’” she wrote in one message. “Honestly I have no words to describe what a fraud he is.”
In another text Slate said of Baldoni, “I honestly have never ever encountered anything like this dude. He’s the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist. Lots of lessons learned!”
In one message to her former agent in May 2023, during production on the film, Slate wrote, “This week was really intense for a few reasons. It’s like fascinating and also so shitty. Justin and Jamey are truly unfit. I’m not scared or anything, just repulsed and deeply irritated, and I know Blake is experiencing that on a much more serious level.”
“I feel like it’s about to get really bad and I’m not sure what Blake’s limit is but she’s really taken a lot of crap from them, like crazy shit, and I’m not kidding when I tell you that Justin and Jamey me freak me out. Like they tell really weird lies and Justin is astoundingly wrongheaded.”
She also referenced Baldoni’s TED Talk in 2018 about empowering women and redefining masculinity in another message: “I really don’t get how he did a TED Talk. He is worse than the bros I’ve encountered, not because he’s predatory but because of his general fragility and misogyny, like not seeming to be aware of any of the obvious no-nos.”
Taylor Swift
Lively’s longtime friend Swift’s name has come up repeatedly in the ongoing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni given Lively previously identified Swift as a person in her orbit that would have knowledge about discussions regarding working conditions on the set of the film. Baldoni also alleged that Swift, along with Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, helped Lively pressure him to make script changes to one of the film’s scenes. Baldoni’s legal team attempted to subpoena Swift in May. At the time a spokesperson for Swift said the subpoena was a bid to “draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”
“I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin,” Swift wrote in a message to Lively while sending a screenshot of a People magazine story about Baldoni. The New York Times exposé about Baldoni and Lively’s feud was also set to be published at the time.
“It’s rings different when he doesn’t end the story by saying ‘Did I always listen when they said no? No.’ like he did with me. But that must not’ve tested well in the focus group,” Lively wrote. “He’s being honored at the vital voices for women event on Monday.”
“This is so disgusting, and I hate that he’s clever about this shit,” Swift wrote.
“This inspiring event celebrates men who are using their platforms, influence and leadership to elevate women, combat gender-based violence and promote gender equality worldwide,” Lively explained of the event.
“Well not him, her,” Swift responded.
“He’s not. He just has a team. Yeah. Her. And his publicist Jennifer Abel. And the comms people at his studio,” Lively added.
“He needs to be beaten by his OWN words,” Swift wrote in a message.
In another message Lively wrote, “Can you imagine feeling as confident as these predators that you’re going to always get away with it. Him accepting an award as an ally for women.
And Scooter going about he world with his head held high as he co owns and funds a crisis PR company that silences women.”
“It’s like a horror film no one knows is taking place,” Swift wrote in a message.
“Oh but they will. It’s the only thing that can come of this. The good that protects other women from this happening to them,” Lively responded.
In messages a year prior, Lively referred to Baldoni as the “doofus director of my movie” in a message to Swift, adding that he is a “clown” who “thinks he’s a writer now.”
In another message, Lively asked Swift — who was allegedly already on her way to visit while Baldoni was present in Lively’s home — to endorse a revised version of the script she was proposing and didn’t need to read it if she couldn’t. (In Lively’s deposition, she said, “I sent Taylor the script on her way to my apartment because Justin was still there, and I asked her to read them. I told her she didn’t have to, I didn’t want her to feel pressure to do that, but I hope that she would.”)
Swift allegedly replied “I’ll do anything for you !!”
In a later message, Lively allegedly wrote to the singer that she was “so epically heroic today” and that she “recapped every moment” to Reynolds. “I kept remembering stuff- You making shit up about me and lenses. And referring to yourself as my doll. This clown falling for all of it. But also resisting it. You are the worlds absolute greatest friend ever.”
On Dec. 4, 2024, Lively and Swift seemingly discussed a changing friendship dynamic in other messages.
“Hey, just checking in,” Lively writes. “I have no reason to ask, but I donno, l’ve been feeling like I should… is everything OK? I felt like a bad friend lately because I was such a sad sack who only talked about my own shit for months. You were generous to not only be the key person there for me during all of it, but also to let me off the hook for being so in it. But I still have a feeling something may not be right. I told Ryan. He said to just ask you. But I felt so stupid and like it sounded needy and awkward for everyone, especially be I can’t explain why I have this feeling. And you know I have toxic masculinity so I can’t be needy. But also, I do want to know everything is good so I’m asking. I always want the opportunity to be a better friend if there’s something | unintentionally did. I know how busy and taxed you are – physically, emotionally, practically, so I don’t expect any more from you ever. Just want to make sure all is good.”
Swift’s response: “No you’re not wrong, but it’s also not a big deal. I think I’m just exhausted in every avenue of my life and in recent months had been feeling a little bit of a shift in the way you talk to me. Yes there has been a lot of the Justin stuff but I’ve been through things like this before and I know how all consuming it is. It’s more like… and I feel really bad saying anything about this because your texts have been so nice in their intent but your last few… it’s felt like I was reading a mass corporate email sent to 200 employees. You said the word ‘we’ like 18 times. And it feels awful to be in any way critical of any way you process what you’ve been going through but I just kinda miss my funny, dark, normal-speaking friend who talks to me as herself, not like. A plural unit. When it’s a group l’m hearing from. I feel distanced from you even more than we are geographically. And I know you feel attacked from all sides for ridiculous reasons so you’re feeling like you have to overly explain things or be overly nice or whatever but. It’s me! That’s just caused a little distance. And you don’t need to apologize. Just come back please.”
Ben Affleck
In a screenshot, Lively seemingly emailed Ben Affleck on May 17, 2024 to ask for his input on her edits to the film.
“I’m writing with a zero pressure ask. I’ve just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I’ve ever had on a movie. The making of doc of this film would be more interesting than the movie could ever be. It’s like if Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival and Going Clear had a baby with The Room … Room also works though,” Lively wrote.
She added, “Anyway, I ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script, I also ended up having to direct the movie via the chaotic clown ‘director’/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center. Yes that’s all the same person. oh and did I mention he and everyone he had on the movie is in a cult. If I would’ve just formally directed it, it would’ve been much easier, but having to troubleshoot through his taste, ego and preexisting decisions made it so difficult and that’s not even touching on any of the wild HR issues and beyond. Anyway, now I’m in a bake off with him in the edit. He’s been editing since, I kid you not, July, and they gave me 10 days to do my own pass. We have a bake off in 12 days. But I have a friends and family preview in NY on Saturday in the meantime so I can get one round of notes or feedback before we duke it out.”
Lively then asked Affleck if he would be “willing to watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes.”
“If your wife or kids are around, I’d love their opinion also (fyi it does cover domestic violence so no one is caught off guard). I’m such a fan of Jennifer’s, I’ve told her as much every time I’ve met her, and it would be an honor to have her take,” Lively added. Affleck was still married to Jennifer Lopez at the time of the email.
Lively reiterated that there was “zero pressure” to do what she asked but that she “just really want this to work after all I’ve put into it. This movie nearly killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be.”
The actress also alleged that Reynolds asked Matt Damon for his input as well: “Ryan asked Matt to watch also so I think he’s watching this weekend. Good men showing up. I’m beyond grateful for that. Also. can you believe Jason Bourne is watching my movie!?!?! I’ll get you an autograph one day. Don’t worry.”
Matt Damon
In another email exchange, Reynolds is shown asking Damon and his wife Lucy to watch Lively’s cut of the film.
“This movie has been one of the all time zingers on and off set. One day, we’ll make a movie about the movie. And we can’t wait to tell you all about it. The stories are already finding their place in the pantheon of legendary Hollywood Insanity,” Reynolds wrote.
In a separate email Lively wrote to Damon and Lucy, “Adding more zeroes to the pressure. Thank you for even considering. And it’s not a bad movie. So who knows, you just may enjoy some of it. Be warned it covers domestic violence In key places so just want to be sure you know. This movie nearly killed me. The director/costar/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience, but the good news is he also has no taste, and an enormous ego, but only because he’s in a cult and believes he’s our century’s prophet. I wish even one of these things was hyperbole.”
Anyway. Juicy stuff. I told him on day one (after so much shit had already gone down). ‘I don’t need anything from you. I don’t need you to guide me or to make me feel good. I’ve got me. All I need from you is, I just need you to not make me feel like shit. That’s it. I’ve got the rest’. And that became true. What I didn’t anticipate was having to do everything in this movie. I rewrote the entire script. I directed every actor. The DP was comil to me when he couldn’t get anything from him. So, way too often. Then after all this Justin wouldn’t bring me into the edit. He had no idea what he had because he didn’t author any of it. They gave me 10 days to scrap together an edit to compete with an edit he’s been making since July. I’ve been sleep about an hour and a half each night be that’s obviously not enough time so I’ve just been gunning it.”
We’re in a bake off now which will happen in 12 days. This weekend screening is my chance to get the first and only feedback on my cut before the bake off. Anyway. It’s all the drama. That was the headline of the gossip. Not even the good stuff. Way too much info. And like Ryan said zero zero pressure.”
In his message Damon wrote, “We’ll give you any help we can. And if this experience hasn’t totally destroyed your soul, Blake, you should come direct your next movie at Artists Equity. We’re kind of like a cult but a really nice one.” (Damon and Affleck co-founded Artists Equity, an independent production company launched in 2022.)
When discussing Baldoni, Reynolds wrote of the time the actor-director asked for Lively’s weight.
“Several weeks before shooting, and right after Blake had given birth to our son … this guy called our trainer, Don and asked ‘how much do you think Blake will weigh in two weeks?’ Don, got very Long Island all of a sudden and Justin backtracked. He said, “I’m only asking because I have to carry her in a scene. And I have low bone density.’
Lucy Damon responded, “Sorry but what the actual fuck?!? He’s dead.”
“It was actually two weeks before,” Lively added. “When pressed even further, he said he needed to train to adjust his bone density. Because, to circle back, he has low bone density.” Lively also alleged of Baldoni, “He also told me last year that he speaks to my father often. He hopes I don’t mind. My father died 3 years ago.”
When Lucy Damon noted she was “fascinated by this creep” and suggested they “make a movie about this guy” Lively said she had a name of her doc ready “Lights, Cult, Action.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it A malignantly vein, sociopathic FAUXminist with almost no sense of boundaries or shame. I cannot believe he hasn’t gone to jail or returned to the sun,” Reynolds wrote.
Isabela Ferrer
The It Ends With Us star, who played a younger version of Lively’s character in the film, was asked in her deposition how many times she witnessed “inappropriate or unwelcome actions, conduct or comments during the production of the film” to which she responded “three times.”
In another moment, the actress was asked about Baldoni allegedly describing one of her intimate scenes in the film as “hot.”
“It didn’t feel appropriate in a work environment, and given that it was not necessarily like a note of any kind to do with my acting,” Ferrer said. “It felt out of place and strange to hear about a scene, especially a scene that is meant to be a PG scene about two young teenagers having a very innocent experience intimately. It felt out of place to hear my director say that as a personal thing to me and my co-star.”
The way it was described in the script and kind of broken down with the intimacy coordinator is it shouldn’t have been sexy or hot or any term like that and it was much more so meant to be innocent, leaning more so towards a PG kind of intimate scene,” she said of the scene which was showcasing her character losing her virginity.
She described of filming another scene for the film: “There was a scene in which my character, Lily, is in her kitchen and the other character played by my costar Alex Neustaedter is making cookies and there was a note that was a change to the scene in which he was feeding me cookie dough from a spoon. Justin offered that I lick the cookie dough off of the spoon and look up at my costar in a way that deemed to me kind of inappropriate given the context of the scene.”
It didn’t make sense to me in the scene that we were filming that my character would do that kind of thing given that she was 16 and in high school,” she said.
“This is according to Alex a couple of months later, when there was a moment when I was away from both of them and we were getting ready to go to Jersey City … for the first time,” she alleged. “Justin pulled Alex aside and said that he wanted Alex to get to know me really well, and yes, winked at him.”
She interpreted the wink as “something of that kind of manner I found to be inappropriate.”
She also alleged that Hoover told her she wasn’t comfortable with Baldoni attending the Book Bonanza Festival at the time with her. “I think the main thing that I remember her having discomfort with is the fact that he had been lying about her religion and her religious faith and telling people that she was of Baháʼí Faith when she wasn’t. I think that was the main thing of her discomfort.”
