Blake Lively drops YouTuber subpoenas while Justin Baldoni case escalates
Saloni Jha | Jul 29, 2025, 03:03 IST
Highlight of the story: Blake Lively just hit pause on her internet investigation, pulling subpoenas aimed at three YouTubers who covered her legal showdown with Justin Baldoni. The spicy lawsuit, centred around sexual harassment allegations, is still going strong, but these creators are off the hook… for now. Drama? Still piping hot. Trial? Set for 2026.
In a surprise plot twist worthy of a Netflix thriller, Blake Lively has officially called off her subpoena storm against three YouTubers who found themselves tangled in her explosive legal drama with It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. Yep, the Gossip Girl star has hit pause on what many called a digital witch hunt.
According to court documents revealed on 26 July, Lively’s team informed the judge they would no longer pursue subpoenas against YouTube creators Kassidy O’Connell, McKenzie Folks, and Lauren Neidigh. The original subpoenas had demanded juicy details like bank account and credit card info, a legal move that sent shockwaves through the creator community.
In a formal letter to the judge, Lively’s legal squad stated that based on what these creators had already shared publicly and during legal exchanges, there was no need to push further. Translation? These three YouTubers are off the subpoena hook, at least for now.
Her team stressed that the subpoenas were part of a standard evidence-gathering process. They were trying to trace whether Baldoni’s camp orchestrated an “untraceable” smear campaign using online platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
Before the withdrawal, O’Connell and Neidigh had both fired back with fierce letters to the court, accusing Lively’s legal team of harassment and intimidation. O’Connell claimed there was zero legal basis for the subpoena and said Lively was stretching discovery with no real evidence. Neidigh slammed it as burdensome and invasive.
Even though these three creators are out of the crosshairs, Lively’s team is still digging deep into other digital corners. They are determined to connect the dots between Baldoni’s PR strategy and a potential smear campaign allegedly designed to silence her.
Lively’s lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and retaliation by Baldoni during the making of It Ends With Us. Baldoni has denied all claims, reportedly hiring a crisis PR team to handle the fallout. While the subpoena drama cools down for some, the main event is heating up, Blake and Justin are set to face off in court on 9 March 2026.
So, while this chapter closes, the battle is far from over. Grab popcorn, Gen Z, because this legal drama is far from its season finale.
Blake Lively’s YouTube subpoena saga just got a plot twist
According to court documents revealed on 26 July, Lively’s team informed the judge they would no longer pursue subpoenas against YouTube creators Kassidy O’Connell, McKenzie Folks, and Lauren Neidigh. The original subpoenas had demanded juicy details like bank account and credit card info, a legal move that sent shockwaves through the creator community.
No further info needed, for now
In a formal letter to the judge, Lively’s legal squad stated that based on what these creators had already shared publicly and during legal exchanges, there was no need to push further. Translation? These three YouTubers are off the subpoena hook, at least for now.
Her team stressed that the subpoenas were part of a standard evidence-gathering process. They were trying to trace whether Baldoni’s camp orchestrated an “untraceable” smear campaign using online platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
Creators clapped back, loud and clear
Before the withdrawal, O’Connell and Neidigh had both fired back with fierce letters to the court, accusing Lively’s legal team of harassment and intimidation. O’Connell claimed there was zero legal basis for the subpoena and said Lively was stretching discovery with no real evidence. Neidigh slammed it as burdensome and invasive.
Even though these three creators are out of the crosshairs, Lively’s team is still digging deep into other digital corners. They are determined to connect the dots between Baldoni’s PR strategy and a potential smear campaign allegedly designed to silence her.
Lively vs Baldoni: The showdown continues
Lively’s lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and retaliation by Baldoni during the making of It Ends With Us. Baldoni has denied all claims, reportedly hiring a crisis PR team to handle the fallout. While the subpoena drama cools down for some, the main event is heating up, Blake and Justin are set to face off in court on 9 March 2026.
So, while this chapter closes, the battle is far from over. Grab popcorn, Gen Z, because this legal drama is far from its season finale.