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Ryan Reynolds Navigates Questions About Taylor Swift Amidst Blake Lively Drama
On May 1, Ryan Reynolds joined Green Day in celebrating their Hollywood Walk of Fame star with a touching tribute to their musical legacy. Following the ceremony, as the Deadpool actor greeted fans for autographs, a photographer pressed him with queries regarding his connection to Taylor Swift‘s beau, NFL player Travis Kelce, amid reports that Kelce had recently unfollowed Reynolds on Instagram. Reynolds initially ignored the persistence before ultimately moving on, a move that comes amid ongoing speculation about Swift and Lively’s friendship.
Tension Between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift?
Kelce’s apparent social media action adds another dimension to the rumored discord between Reynolds’ spouse, Blake Lively, and Swift. The complications arose from a December 2024 lawsuit where Lively filed a claim against her It Ends with Us director, Justin Baldoni, concerning accusations of workplace harassment. Baldoni responded by suing Lively and Reynolds for libel. Swift became entangled in the legal clash when Baldoni alleged that Lively used her influence to sway him on alterations to the movie’s screenplay. Swift – now subject to a subpoena for a trial scheduled next March – is seemingly creating distance from Lively. “Taylor and Blake have spoken, but relations are strained,” disclosed an insider, noting a decline in their regular interactions. “Their bond is not as strong as it once was.”
Divergent Paths?
Lively, 37, and Swift, 35, shared a close relationship beginning in 2015; Swift is the godmother to three of Lively’s four children (James, 10, Inez, 8, and Betty, 5, along with son Olin, 2, with Reynolds). With the arrival of Kelce, also 35, in July 2023, the couples appeared to form a tight-knit group. Last summer, Lively and Reynolds, 48, visited Swift and Kelce at Swift’s Rhode Island beachfront home, valued at $17 million, and later engaged in a double date in NYC in October 2024. “Taylor and Blake have always been close,” a source pointed out at the time, “but they are now frequently doing things as couples.”
Subpoenas and Courtroom Drama Affect Friendship
Swift’s name has been persistently mentioned concerning Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni, 41. During legal proceedings, Baldoni reported an encounter with Lively, Reynolds, and Swift at the couple’s NYC penthouse; subsequent texts showed Lively referring to herself as Khaleesi from Game of Thrones and labeling Swift as one of her “dragons.” According to the insider: “Taylor is very uneasy about being embroiled in the legal action. This is a very big matter now. Her friendship with Blake has been strained.” Another source added, “Taylor was surprised to be mentioned in work-related messages to Blake’s director and to be pulled into this situation.”
For a period, communication ceased altogether. “They needed space,” a source close to Lively commented, indicating that Swift – having finished her Eras Tour in December 2024 – “was taking time to unwind and relish her break.” (Swift has maintained a low profile since Kelce’s Super Bowl defeat. They were seen on a quiet date in NYC on March 14, and in late April, Kelce traveled solo to Vegas for Justin Timberlake’s celebrity golf event. The pair were then spotted together in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 12.) “Taylor desires to remain out of the public eye,” the first source adds.
Swift’s Priorities: Loyalty and Boundaries
While the second source states that Swift “is not particularly concerned about the subpoenas,” she seeks to avoid being involved with the high-profile court case. (Besides Swift, Hugh Jackman, a close friend of Reynolds and costar in Deadpool vs. Wolverine, might also be subpoenaed.) “Taylor’s chief concern appears to be safeguarding herself emotionally and legally,” the first insider said. “She has always prioritized loyalty, and at this time, she’s working to maintain that while also establishing boundaries in this intricate, high-stakes situation.”
The situation has been challenging for both women. “Blake was one of Taylor’s dearest friends, and any change in a close relationship is sure to cause pain,” the informant revealed, noting that Swift’s feelings are less about distrusting Lively and more about feeling insecure following recent occurrences. While the actress appeared jovial promoting Another Simple Favor recently, the Lively source shares that she’s still “devastated by the events of the last two years, along with the consequences of pursuing the lawsuit and speaking publicly about what happened.”
Taylor Swift’s Team Responds
Following news reports indicating Swift would receive a subpoena, a representative from the pop star’s camp openly criticized Baldoni’s legal representatives for involving her.
“Taylor Swift has never stepped on this movie set, she was not involved in any decisions regarding the cast or its creative vision, she did not oversee its soundtrack, and she did not preview any finished edits or give notes related to the film,” the speaker shared in a formal statement on Friday, May 9. “She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public launch, as she was traveling internationally throughout 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour ever.”
The statement went on, “The only connection Taylor had in relation to this film was granting permission for the use of one song, ‘My Tears Ricochet.’ Considering that her association was merely licensing a song, which 19 other artists also contributed, this subpoena appears designed to leverage Taylor Swift’s name to gain media traction by sensationalizing tabloids instead of addressing the actual case.”
Seeking Reconciliation
Lively has reportedly issued an apology to Swift for the stress caused by the situation. “Taylor and Blake have communicated and Blake has extended her apologies,” the first source declared, noting that Swift is not harboring resentment. “Taylor is highly accommodating, and she still views Blake as a friend. But as the legal battle continues, [things remain] difficult.” Lively is trying to maintain optimism. “Blake has seen Taylor as a sister for many years,” according to the Lively source. “They’re currently on good terms, but the friendship is still scarred. She anticipates that their friendship will return to normal soon.”
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