Blake Lively’s Birthday Message to Taylor Swift Will Make You Wanna Hug Your Bestie

Blake Lively certainly has her hands full these days with a new baby girl and a quirky hubby (yep, we’re talking about Ryan Reynolds) to deal with on a daily basis, which is why we’re sure she can be forgiven for her belated bday wishes for super-friend Taylor Swift. Though Taylor technically celebrated her 27th birthday a couple of days ago, Blake just sent a message that will totally make you want to give your own bestie a big ol’ hug.

Blake took to Instagram to post a pic of herself and Taylor squished up together and smiling for the camera (although Tay’s smile is more about her smize, as Tyra would say). The famous #girlsquad member added the caption, “People Who I Not Only Really Love, But Also Really LIKE, That Were Born Yesterday: Part 1 of 2.🎈 @taylorswift you know how I feel. 💜”

If you’re curious, the second person celebrating their birthday that Blake was mentioning happens to be actor Bart Johnson, who you might recognize as Coach Jack Bolton from High School Musical.

Clearly it was a day worth celebrating for Blake’s extended squad.

How often do you miss the big event and end up wishing friends a happy belated birthday? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Michael Loccisano/Getty)

After reports started circulating that Taylor Swift was distancing herself from Blake Lively amid the It Ends With Us drama (namely Blake calling in Taylor as backup in a meeting with Justin Baldoni, and then referring to the singer as one of her "dragons" in a text), sources promised things were good as gold between the two famous BFFs. But new reports are suggesting Taylor "feels used" by Blake (and her cringy Game of Thrones text).

Here's the latest update on the Taylor Swift and Blake Lively feud rumors.

Taylor Swift reportedly "feels used" by Blake Lively.

A source told Page Six Taylor Swift “is taking a break from their friendship right now,” and that she's “really hurt by this whole situation and feels like a pawn.”

Another source says Tay “can’t help but feel used” by Blake Lively as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni rages on, and that she “doesn’t appreciate being referred to as one of Blake’s dragons.”

"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," Blake allegedly said in a text message to Justin after their meeting with Taylor and Ryan Reynolds. "For better or worse, but usually for better. 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."

TMZ reports that Taylor had no idea Justin would even be there, and didn't appreciate feeling weaponized. "It's weird to say that about a friend," an insider says of the text. And apparently, things are feeling strained. All in all, with somewhat conflicting reports, no one really knows how things stand between Blake and Taylor at the moment. But this alleged tension could impact who Taylor Swift brings with her to the Super Bowl.

And apparently, Blake might not get a Super Bowl invite this year.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Rumors were circulating that Blake already had an invite to the Big Game, but a source tells Daily Mailthat "Blake is not attending the Super Bowl with her. Blake has not left the house since this started practically. Taylor wants nothing to do with this trial and court case."

Another source told the US Sun that "Taylor would like to have some of her close friends and family all together and be there to show love and support her man" at the Super Bowl, but only time will tell who will spend the evening with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

And even if Taylor doesn't want anything to do with the legal battle, Justin Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freeman has already said there's a possibility she could be deposed for their March 2026 trial. "I don’t know that we’re going to depose Taylor Swift. I think that that’s going to be probably a game time decision. I don’t know that that decision has been made,” he said on TMZ's Two Angry Men podcast. “But, I can tell you this, anyone that reasonably has information that can provide evidence in this case is going to be deposed.”

Oy. Stay tuned for the latest update on Taylor Swift and Blake Lively's celebrity friendship.

If you're totally confused by this whole Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively legal battle, here's A Definitive Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's It Ends With Us Feud to help you straighten things out.

I always get excited when I think about how many celebrity couples we don't know about yet. Glen Powell & Lily James generated some buzz when they hopped into a car together ahead of the BAFTAs, and Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler (yes, Elvis himself) were just spotted out and about together. Let's dive in, shall we?

Here's everything we know about those Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler dating rumors.

Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler were allegedly spotted grabbing a meal.

"Seriously just saw Madelyn Cline and Austin Butler" at a celebrity-frequented restaurant in Los Angeles, a DeuxMoi source said at the end of January. One Instagram user commented that since Madelyn and Austin's exes (Pete Davidson and Kaia Gerber) are exes, "dating in Hollywood is 3 degrees of separation."

However, according to another DeuxMoi source, fans have been paying attention to Madelyn's Instagram activity. The actress previously dated her Outer Banks costar Chase Stokes, and has allegedly been liking posts about "the one that got away," and even posted on her Instagram story that she deserves happiness.

"The timing of Chase's relationship doing so great and her having a string of failed relationships, people are just assuming she's crashing out," the second source continues. Yikes, y'all.

I think it's so fascinating how fans allegedly jump to the conclusion that Madelyn is crashing out, and assume Austin (who is also recently single) is totally fine post-breakup. Listen, a girl can go on a few dates without spiraling, dating really doesn't have to be that serious. It's supposed to be fun!

It's also totally in the realm of possibility that they were having a business meeting. For now, we don't really know. But what I do know? Madelyn Cline and Austin Butler would make a cute couple, and even if they don't end up in a relationship, a delicious dinner and maybe a smooch or two never hurt anybody ;).

Stay tuned for more news on these Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler dating rumors, and while we're on all things lovey-dovey, check out the latest news on Madelyn Cline's New Romance The Map That Leads To You.

Taylor Swift became a part of the It Ends With Us saga when her song "My Tears Ricochet" was featured in the movie's trailer, but none of us could have expected that by December 2024, the popstar would be pulled into Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's legal battle. The singer, as well as Blake's husband Ryan Reynolds, was allegedly present for a conversation between Blake and Justin...and could now be deposed in their March 2026 trial. And while past reports say she didn't have any creative involvement in bringing It Ends With Us to the screen, apparently she did have a hand in casting Isabela Ferrer as young Lily. Wait, what?

Here's what Justin Baldoni & Isabela Ferrer had to say about Taylor Swift's involvement in It Ends With Us.

Taylor Swift was "a helpful part" of casting young Lily.

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At the beginning of February 2025, multiple Us Weekly sources claimed Taylor didn't actually have any creative involvement in the movie. “Taylor has always been Blake’s friend, but Taylor doesn’t have any involvement in the case. She wasn’t part of the movie,” an insider says. “Taylor was not a producer on the film and had no creative involvement.”

“While she and Blake are friends, this case is now a legal matter for the courts to resolve,” they continue. “Dragging Taylor into it is unnecessary and misrepresents what really happened.”

But in a resurfaced video, Justin Baldoni tells Access Hollywood that the team searched far and wide to find Isabela Ferrer to play young Lily. "When you have somebody as beloved and recognizable as Blake," he says in the interview, "the only way it can really work is if you have somebody that resembles her."

And if you've seen the movie, you know that Isabela and Blake look so similar! “I had actually brought in and showed her casting tape to Blake and Taylor and they were both, like, ‘Yes! her,'” he said. “And that’s a true story.”

"Yes, she did," Isabela herself told Extra at the It Ends With Us premiere. “I don’t even know if I’m supposed to be saying it, but I’m saying it! Yeah, she was a helpful part of the process of the audition, which I found out later after I got it and that rocked my world. I have no words.”

The videos resurfaced among rumors of a feud between Blake and Taylor, which started flying after it was revealed Blake allegedly called Taylor (among others) as a dragon in a text to Justin. You know...like in Game of Thrones. "I'm Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons," Blake wrote. "For better or worse, but usually for better. 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."

A Page Six source claims that Taylor “can’t help but feel used” by Blake Lively, and that she “doesn’t appreciate being referred to as one of Blake’s dragons.” In fact, the rumors spiraled so far that some internet users speculated that's why Blake wasn't with Taylor at the Super Bowlthis year.

But Swifties can rest assured because "Taylor is not shading Blake or is she trying to teach her a lesson," according to a Daily Mailinsider. It isn't like that. Even if Taylor did invite Blake, Blake would not come...Blake would not want to overshadow Taylor ever."

See A Definitive Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's It Ends With Us Feud for more — and hear what Brit + Co hosts Chloe and Kayla have to say in the first episode of Yap City.

Not only is Blake Lively speaking out about the "sexist" commentary on her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, she's also enlisting the help of...the CIA? Yes, you read that right. The actress just recruited an ex-CIA advisor to help with her case ahead of the March 2026 trial. Wow.

Here's what we know about Blake Lively's latest move in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Blake Lively just involved an ex-CIA advisor in her case.

Blake Lively has enlisted Nick Shapiro, former CIA deputy chief of staff and senior advisor John Brennan (the former director), to help with her case, according to Page Six and Variety.

“The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,” Blake Lively's lawyers said in a statement.

This proves more than anything else that Blake is taking the trial really seriously because this is a major move on her part.

Recently, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni actually agreed on something when they spoke out against the "violent" messages Blake and her loved ones have been receiving.

Blake's legal team requested a stronger protection order (PO), considering Blake, "her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications" (as the request states), "good cause exists for the Court to adopt the Proposed PO."

And Justin's legal team went on the record, saying they "do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation. Anyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent."

“When private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside after their addresses were leaked on her initial complaints," they continue. "No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail. We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.”

Stay tuned for more news on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's legal battle.

Look out Bridgerton fans — Simone Ashley is giving love another chance in her new rom-com movie Picture This! We'll always love her inspiring take on Kate Sharma, but it's nice to see her spreading her acting wings. Just don't expect the two worlds to collide!

Picture This has a modern feel that explores the life of a single woman who's more concerned about having a lucrative career than putting all of her eggs in one basket. It's an accurate depiction of dating in 2025 and takes outdated relationship rules to task! Let's dig into all the exciting details!

Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about Simone Ashley's rom-com, Picture This!

What is 'Picture This' about?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is about a photographer Pia's (Simone Ashley) journey to living life on her terms, but she gets the surprise of a lifetime when she's given dating tasks. In order to truly have the life she wants, she has to go on a few dates which is the opposite of what she's trying to focus on.

Adding even more turmoil to the mix is the reappearance of an ex that sends Pia down of path of self-discovery that may or may not end with her falling in love.

Who's starring in 'Picture This'?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This will star:

  • Simone Ashley
  • Hero Fiennes Tiffin
  • Sindhu Vee
  • Luke Fetherson
  • Nikesh Patel
  • Adil Ray
  • Anoushka Chadha
  • Eben Figueiredo
  • Kulvinder Ghir
  • Asim Chaudhry
  • Phil Dunster
And the film will be directed by Prarthana Mohan (Christmas Canceled).

When will it premiere?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is set to premiere March 6, 2025 on Amazon Prime.

What The Trailer For 'Picture This' Here!

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- YouTube

Picture This appears to be full of hilarious moments from a best friend who has witty one-liners to a family who's good intentions feel invasive. The only thing we'll have to wait to see is whether Pia and her ex will get a second chance at love or not.

Are you excited to see Picture This? Let us know on Facebook!