Court slams delay tactics, denies extension to depose pop superstar

September 15, 2025 — A Manhattan federal judge has denied actor-director Justin Baldoni’s latest attempt to depose Taylor Swift in the ongoing lawsuit filed by Blake Lively. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, leans heavily against Baldoni’s reasoning and limits his ability to question Swift under oath.

Background: What’s at Stake

Blake Lively filed her lawsuit in late 2024, accusing Baldoni—who directed and co-starred in It Ends With Us—of sexual harassment and of running a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni denied all allegations and, in turn, filed a countersuit alleging defamation. That countersuit was dismissed earlier this year. Swift became tangentially involved: one of her songs is used in the It Ends With Us soundtrack, and there have been text messages between Swift and Lively referenced in the legal filings.

Baldoni’s Attempt to Extend Discovery

Baldoni’s legal team requested a 30-day extension of the discovery deadline in hopes of deposing Swift. They claimed Swift had agreed to a deposition but was unavailable until after October 20 due to her professional obligations—namely, her upcoming album release. The current discovery deadline, however, is September 30.

Judge’s Decision & Reasoning

Judge Liman rejected Baldoni’s request. Two main reasons were cited:

Lack of diligence: Baldoni’s side could not show they had tried sufficiently early to schedule the deposition or follow through. A subpoena for Swift had previously been withdrawn in May, and no renewed subpoena had been submitted.

No good cause shown: Judge Liman noted that the reason given—Swift’s professional schedule—isn’t enough without proof that efforts were made earlier. The judge emphasized that logistical difficulties don’t excuse tardiness in discovery planning.

Swift’s Representation Pushback

Swift’s camp firmly denied that she ever “agreed” to a deposition. They have consistently maintained that she has no material involvement in the case beyond licensing her song. They also stated that if she were to be deposed, it would only happen under court order, not by voluntary agreement.

What It Means

With this ruling, it appears very unlikely that Swift will ever be deposed in the Lively versus Baldoni case. The decision limits Baldoni’s ability to involve Swift more directly, reinforcing the judge’s insistence on procedural fairness and timely action in discovery processes.

For Lively, this removes a potential witness Baldoni had hoped to examine. For Baldoni, it’s a setback in pursuing documents and testimony he believed might support his counterarguments.

What’s Ahead

The trial in this case is still scheduled for March 9, 2026. Between now and then, both parties will continue to exchange evidence, with Lively granted a modest extension for depositions of Baldoni and his associates due to late production of documents.

While Swift may sidestep deposition, the texts and existing correspondence will likely remain part of the public record under protective orders, keeping her name involved even if she does not testify under oath.