Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Taylor Swift PR Dispute Leads to $30K Crisis Fee

Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Taylor Swift PR tensions escalated when a Texas-based crisis management firm working for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios increased its monthly fee to $30,000. The hike came amid fears that Blake Lively could rally Taylor Swift’s loyal fan base — the Swifties — in their ongoing public battle.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, an August 7, 2024 email between PR executives detailed growing concern over online backlash. The message noted that the “social team” worried about Blake “activating the Taylor Swift fan base,” prompting the fee increase “due to the uptick in social chatter.”

Crisis PR Strategy and Taylor Swift Fan Concerns

The very next day, August 8, 2024, PR firm Street Relations Inc., led by Jed Wallace, invoiced Wayfarer Studios for the new $30,000 rate. Wallace’s name first appeared in text messages Lively included in her sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, where PR professionals credited him with steering public opinion on social media.

This PR fee shift illustrates how the influence of celebrity fan bases, especially Taylor Swift’s, can factor into crisis management costs. Swifties’ online mobilization has long been known to sway public narratives.

Legal Battles Between Lively and Baldoni

Lively filed a California civil rights complaint in December 2024, naming Baldoni, Wallace, and his firm among the defendants. Wallace responded in February 2025 with a defamation suit, though he was later dismissed from her case — without prejudice, allowing the possibility of refiling.

The legal disputes stem from alleged misconduct during the filming of It Ends With Us. Lively’s deposition reportedly included accusations against Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, for allegedly leaking that Baldoni was present during questioning — a claim Freedman denied.

The Ongoing PR and Legal War

The Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Taylor Swift PR situation shows how celebrity conflicts can escalate into high-cost legal and public relations battles. The potential involvement of a megastar like Taylor Swift — even indirectly — can amplify stakes for both sides.

As of now, Wallace and Freedman have not commented on the latest revelations. The dispute remains unresolved, with both the court of law and public opinion watching closely.

SOURCE: TMZ