Judge Says No to Justin Baldoni’s Bid to Depose Taylor Swift

Late on Friday, the court declined Baldoni’s request to move the third-party deposition deadline into late October. That means Taylor Swift will not be deposed at this time. Coverage from outlets that reviewed the order said the judge was not persuaded to extend the schedule for Swift. 

What Taylor Swift’s Team Says

Swift’s attorney, J. Douglas Baldridge, emphasized that Swift has “no material role” in this case. He also clarified that Swift did not agree to a deposition. If the court compels it, her schedule could accommodate time during the week of October 20–25. This was shared only after her team first heard about the deposition plan three days earlier. 

What Baldoni’s Side Claimed

Baldoni’s lawyers told the court that Swift had agreed to appear in late October because of prior work commitments, including the lead-up to her album release on October 3. They argued an extension was necessary to take her testimony. But Swift’s counsel, and then the judge’s ruling, cut against that plan. 

How We Got Here

The dispute stems from the movie It Ends With Us. In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni and his colleagues at Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni denied the claims. He later sued Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others for defamation and extortion, but that countersuit was dismissed in June 2025. 

Swift’s name surfaced because Baldoni’s team tried to pull her in as a third-party witness. In May, they issued a subpoena, then withdrew it after objections from Swift’s side. The court later allowed Baldoni to obtain certain Lively–Swift messages, finding those communications about the set could be relevant. That step did not make a live deposition necessary. 

Key Facts at a Glance

• Swift’s role: Licensed the song “My Tears Ricochet” for the film; otherwise not involved in casting or creative decisions. 
• Discovery fight: Baldoni sought more time only to depose Swift in late October; Swift’s team said availability was conditional and only if compelled. 
• Current status: The judge denied the extension and, by doing so, kept Swift out of a deposition for now. 
• Trial date: March 9, 2026, in federal court. 

Timeline Table

Date	Event
Dec. 2024	Blake Lively files suit alleging harassment and retaliation.
May 2025	Swift subpoenaed, then subpoena withdrawn after objections.
June 2025	Court allows Lively–Swift messages to be produced; Baldoni’s $400M countersuit dismissed.
Sept. 11–12, 2025	Baldoni seeks more time, citing Swift’s late-October availability; Swift’s lawyer says she never agreed.
Sept. 12, 2025	Judge denies the extension; Swift will not be deposed now.
Mar. 9, 2026	Trial date set.

Why the Decision Matters

This ruling narrows the focus back to the parties and crew who worked on the film. Swift’s potential testimony became a flash point this week, but her legal team stayed firm: she is not central to the claims, and any appearance would be by court order only. Now, with no extension, discovery must stay on track. That keeps the schedule tight and the case moving toward its 2026 trial. 

Simple Take

• Swift is out of a deposition for now.
• Baldoni lost his bid to delay the schedule.
• Lively’s claims continue toward trial.
• Everyone watches what the filings reveal next.

Summary

• No extension. A federal judge denied Justin Baldoni’s request to extend discovery so he could depose Taylor Swift.
• Swift’s stance. Her lawyer says she did not agree to be deposed, but she could appear the week of Oct. 20 only if the court forces it. 
• Background. Blake Lively sued Baldoni in Dec. 2024 over alleged on-set harassment and a smear campaign. His $400M countersuit was dismissed in June. 
• What’s next. Trial is set for March 9, 2026.