Federal Judge Blocks Taylor Swift Deposition in Harassment Trial Over Lack of Due Diligence

Taylor Swift Deposition Off Limits to Justin Baldoni, Judge Rules: Lack of 'Appropriate Diligence' A federal judge has denied Justin Baldoni's last-minute bid to depose Taylor Swift as he prepares for an upcoming trial over Blake Lively's claims she was sexually harassed and retaliated against during the filming of "It Ends With Us." U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Baldoni and his co-defendants at Wayfarer Studios simply waited too long to seek the sit-down and missed their chance. In a 10-page order handed down Friday, Judge Liman wrote that the defendants failed to show good cause for a similar reprieve as Swift's deposition. The only justification provided by Baldoni and Wayfarer was that Swift's preexisting professional obligations now prevent her from appearing for a deposition prior to October 20, 2025. "We're pleased with the court's decision," said Lively's lawyer in a statement. "We believe this ruling is a victory for our client and will allow us to move forward with the trial." The case centers around allegations that Blake Lively was subjected to a hostile work environment during filming, which began in 2022. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have denied the claims. Background on the case shows that Lively filed her lawsuit against Wayfarer Studios and several individuals, including Baldoni, in April 2023. The complaint alleged that she was subjected to unwanted advances, retaliation, and a hostile work environment during filming. Judge Liman granted a 10-day extension for Lively to take the depositions of Baldoni and two others, citing the defendants' failure to produce requested documents in a timely manner. However, he denied the request to depose Swift, stating that the defendants failed to demonstrate "appropriate diligence" in seeking her testimony. The trial is set to begin on November 1, 2025. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the entertainment industry and could potentially set a precedent for future cases involving allegations of workplace harassment and retaliation. In related news, it remains to be seen how this ruling will impact the upcoming trial. With Swift's deposition off-limits, Lively's lawyers may need to rely on other evidence to build their case. The next developments in this case are expected to unfold in the coming weeks as the trial approaches. *Reporting by Rollingstone.*