Taylor Swift’s deposition in the Lively-Baldoni case is now considered unlikely to occur.

In a noteworthy development within the ongoing legal disputes between actor Justin Baldoni and his former co-star Blake Lively, a New York judge has denied Baldoni’s request to depose pop icon Taylor Swift in connection with the case. The ruling by Judge Lewis J. Liman came on Friday, when he granted Lively an extension for discovery to October 10, yet rejected Baldoni’s attempt to further extend the deadline beyond the originally set date of September 30.

Baldoni’s legal team had sought to arrange a deposition with Swift, who allegedly expressed willingness to testify but could only accommodate a date after October 20 due to existing professional commitments. According to correspondence from Baldoni’s representatives, if compelled to attend a deposition, Swift’s schedule would permit participation during the week of October 20, provided the involved parties could resolve their existing disputes.

The legal disagreements between Baldoni and Lively erupted in December 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of their movie “It Ends With Us.” In her allegations, she claimed he subsequently orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against her. Baldoni has firmly denied these accusations and has instigated a 0 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s allegations. He has also launched a 0 million defamation suit against Lively, her husband actor Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane.

In a separate ruling earlier this year, Judge Liman dismissed both of Baldoni’s lawsuits, which further complicates his legal strategy. This decision came shortly after he initially sought to subpoena Swift as a witness, although that subpoena was later withdrawn.

Swift’s involvement has been a point of contention, not due to any allegations against her but rather because Baldoni referred to her in his countersuit. He claimed that Lively attempted to leverage Swift’s celebrity to claim creative control over the film, further muddying the situation. In recent weeks, there have been indications that Swift is distancing herself from Lively, leading to speculation that her upcoming song “Ruin the Friendship,” from the anticipated album “Life of a Showgirl,” may allude to their strained relationship.

As Lively pursues millions in damages and attorney fees due to what she refers to as Baldoni’s baseless accusations, both actors are expected to testify in court when the case finally goes to trial in March 2025. The legal proceedings surrounding this high-profile dispute continue to attract significant media attention, reflecting the intricate, personal dynamics at play within the entertainment industry.