‘Devastated’ Blake Lively Reportedly ‘Tortured’ by Taylor Swift Replacing Her with Another A-List Actress BFF—It Feels ‘Brutal’

Swift and Johnson appeared together at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27, where the Verity star presented the “Cleveland!” singer with the inaugural Artist Director Honors award. Johnson then hosted the October 3 episode of Saturday Night Live, and Swift crashed her monologue, jokingly appearing as her “literal therapist.” Related Stories Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds’ Relationship Gets Dramatic Update After Report Their Marriage Is ‘Struggling’ Tom Cruise Faces More Negative News Amid Report His & Taylor Swift’s Friendship Is Taking a Controversial Turn

“Blake was devastated watching it,” a source told Shuter’s Naughty But Nice. “Taylor wasn’t just supporting Dakota privately. She walked onto that stage and showed millions of people how close they are. Blake couldn’t help wondering: Does Taylor know exactly how much this will hurt me?”

According to additional insiders, Lively and Johnson were never friends—they simply “tolerated each other” for Swift. “There was always tension,” another source explained. “That’s why seeing Dakota apparently take Blake’s place feels particularly brutal.”

Related: Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds’ Relationship Gets Dramatic Update After Report Their Marriage Is ‘Struggling’

However, a separate insider believes Lively is inserting herself into a situation that has nothing to do with her. “Maybe Taylor isn’t sending Blake any message at all,” they said. “Maybe she simply loves Dakota. Blake has to accept that Taylor’s life no longer revolves around their friendship.”

“Blake could cope with Taylor being furious,” the source added. “What she can’t cope with is Taylor being completely fine without her.”

Lively and Swift were close friends for years, and the “Patient Zero” singer is even godmother to all four of Lively’s children with husband Ryan Reynolds. But sadly, their friendship soured after Swift was dragged into Lively’s messy legal battle with her It Ends With Us director and co-star, Justin Baldoni.

As a result, Lively wasn’t invited to Swift’s wedding, and the two are reportedly not on speaking terms.