When a friendship fractures under the weight of legal drama, sometimes the casualty list extends to major life events. That’s the reality Taylor Swift and Blake Lively are navigating as the pop star prepares to marry NFL star Travis Kelce this July 4 weekend, with one notable absence from the guest list.
Multiple sources confirmed to Us Weekly that Lively, 38, didn’t receive an invitation to the ceremony. But here’s the thing—it’s not drama in the way you might imagine. According to insiders, the Gossip Girl alum understands the reasoning.“Blake understands why she wouldn’t be invited and that it would be a media frenzy,”the source told Us Weekly.“She isn’t upset about not being invited, but of course, she would love to be there to support her and Travis.”That’s the kind of maturity that comes from stepping back and seeing the bigger picture.
The rift between Swift, 36, and Lively traces back to the contentious legal battle between Lively and It Ends With Us director and costar Justin Baldoni, 42. When personal text messages between Lively and Swift were made public during the case—which began in December 2024 when Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit—it pulled the pop star into a situation she never asked to be part of. Having private conversations exposed felt like a violation to Swift, sources say. Baldoni denied the sexual harassment allegations and filed a countersuit that was ultimately dismissed in 2025. Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement out of court earlier this month, ending their 18-month legal ordeal.
What’s telling now is the tone around their estrangement. Lively is“at peace”with how things unfolded, according to insiders, and has moved on. But that doesn’t mean the friendship is intact.“They haven’t been in touch in several months, and their last correspondence was only a few casual texts back and forth,”the source shared.“That is the extent of their friendship.”It’s a far cry from the days when these two were genuinely close.
As for Swift’s wedding itself, speculation is swirling. Rumors suggest the couple will tie the knot at Madison Square Garden in New York City during the July 4 holiday weekend, a theory that gained fuel when NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani referenced the event during a June 15 press conference, mentioning it alongside the World Cup and America 250 celebrations. Swift and Kelce, 36, who began dating in summer 2023, got engaged last August. So while Blake Lively watches from the sidelines, one of pop culture’s biggest moments is about to unfold—and a friendship that once felt unshakeable will remain conspicuously sidelined.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
