In a surprising turn of events, Blake Lively was notably absent from Taylor Swift’s star-studded suite at Super Bowl 2025. The longtime friends, who had attended last year’s championship game together, seem to be navigating a rocky patch in their relationship. Sources close to the situation reveal that Swift felt “used” by Lively after being dragged into the actress’s ongoing legal battle with her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
A Strained Friendship: Legal Drama Unfolds
The rift between the two friends reportedly stems from a lawsuit filed by Lively in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni, 41, responded with a countersuit, claiming that Lively had attempted to intimidate him by leveraging her high-profile connections, including Swift and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. In his legal filing, Baldoni alleged that Lively referred to Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons” in text messages. One such text, according to Baldoni’s amended complaint, read:
“If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you’ll appreciate that I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons… Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really, we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.”
Baldoni also claimed that Swift was present at a meeting tied to the legal dispute, further suggesting that Lively had used her friend’s star power to gain leverage in the situation.
Taylor Swift’s Reaction: Feeling ‘Used’
A source close to Swift told Page Six that the singer is unhappy about being drawn into this legal drama.
“Taylor really wishes Blake hadn’t dragged her into this whole situation,” the insider shared.
The source further explained that while Swift values her genuine friendships, she “can’t help but feel used” by Lively’s actions. The pop star reportedly wants to distance herself from the feud as much as possible, choosing to remain quiet on the matter.While Swift is known for supporting her friends and their projects, she has been noticeably silent about Lively’s film “It Ends With Us,” which was inspired by Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Although Swift lent her 2020 song “My Tears Ricochet” to the movie’s soundtrack, she did not promote the film on social media, as she has done for other friends’ projects, such as Zoë Kravitz’s “Blink Twice.”
Lively’s Absence at the Super Bowl
This year, Swift, 35, attended the Super Bowl to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, as the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles. Her VIP suite was filled with other celebrity friends, including Ice Spice, Ashley Avignone, and the Haim sisters, but Lively was conspicuously missing.The pair had attended last year’s Super Bowl together, where they watched the Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers from their VIP suite, joined by friends like Ice Spice and Lana Del Rey. However, the ongoing legal tensions appear to have put a strain on their bond, with Lively opting to skip this year’s event altogether.
The Lawsuit: A Closer Look
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has become increasingly acrimonious. Lively’s initial lawsuit accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior on the set of “It Ends With Us” and claimed that he retaliated against her when she spoke out. Baldoni, in turn, alleged that Lively used intimidation tactics, including enlisting Swift and Reynolds as part of her strategy.Baldoni’s legal team has even suggested that Swift could be deposed as part of the ongoing case, given her presence at a key meeting mentioned in the lawsuit. This possibility is likely a driving force behind Swift’s decision to take a step back from the situation.
Taylor Swift’s Continued Focus on Authentic Friendships
Swift has been known to prioritize genuine friendships, often showering her friends with support. However, the current situation with Lively seems to have shaken that dynamic. The insider noted:
“She cherishes genuine friendships, but this has made her question how much she was being used.”
For now, Swift appears focused on maintaining her privacy and avoiding further involvement in the legal drama. She has not publicly commented on the matter, and her actions at the Super Bowl suggest she is keeping her attention on her relationship with Kelce and the Chiefs’ historic run for their third-straight Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Conclusion: A Friendship at a Crossroads
The absence of Blake Lively at Super Bowl 2025 speaks volumes about the current state of her relationship with Taylor Swift. While the two have shared years of friendship, the ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni has seemingly created tension that neither party can ignore.As Swift navigates this complicated situation, her focus remains on protecting her peace and maintaining her reputation as someone who values authenticity and support in her relationships. Whether or not their friendship will recover from this strain remains to be seen, but for now, it seems the legal drama has left its mark on their bond.
