Blake Lively Subtly Supports Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl Amid Reported Friendship Strain

Blake Lively is quietly showing support for Taylor Swift’s latest project — even as speculation about their friendship continues to swirl.

The It Ends With Us actress, 38, recently liked an Instagram post by Swift celebrating the release of her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. The pop superstar, 35, shared a glamorous, showgirl-inspired photoshoot alongside a heartfelt message about the new record, writing:

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to share this with you, an album that just feels so right. A forever thank you goes out to my mentors and friends Max and Shellback for helping me paint this self portrait. If you thought the big show was wild, perhaps you should come and take a look behind the curtain… The Life of a Showgirl is out now.”

The album — released Friday, Oct. 3 — marks another highly anticipated chapter in Swift’s ever-evolving artistry. Fans have eagerly dissected its tracklist since Swift teased it in August, with particular attention on a song titled “Ruin the Friendship.” Social media theories suggested it might address Swift’s reported falling out with Lively, but insiders say the song tells a very different story — one about unrequited love and regret, centered on a high school crush.

A Friendship Under Public Scrutiny

Lively and Swift have shared a long and close bond since first meeting in 2015. Swift is even a godparent to the children Lively shares with husband Ryan Reynolds. But in recent months, reports have surfaced that the friends are “taking some space” from one another.

The distance between them appears to have emerged amid Lively’s ongoing legal dispute with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, 41. Swift’s name surfaced unexpectedly during the case: Baldoni’s legal team alleged that Swift had pressured him to approve rewrites from Lively for their film adaptation. The claim, filed in January, was dismissed, but it fueled public speculation about whether the drama affected Swift and Lively’s relationship.

In May, Baldoni’s team dropped a subpoena they had issued to Swift. A representative for the singer called the subpoena an attempt to create “tabloid clickbait” rather than focus on the facts of the case.

Despite the headlines, a source told PEOPLE in August that while the pair aren’t currently in close contact, they’re not permanently estranged: “They are taking some space.”

A Small but Meaningful Gesture

Lively’s Instagram “like” on Swift’s album announcement post has caught fans’ attention as a possible olive branch — or at least a public nod of support during a time when their friendship is under scrutiny.

The quiet gesture shows that, while the two may be navigating personal distance, there’s still mutual respect between them. Swift, meanwhile, continues to thrive creatively: she announced The Life of a Showgirl in August during her appearance on New Heights, the podcast hosted by her fiancé Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, after teasing fans with cryptic Easter eggs.

Fans React With Hope

Swift and Lively’s friendship has long been admired by fans, who love seeing their support for one another at public events and in sweet social media moments. Many are hopeful this small sign of acknowledgment is a step toward reconciliation.

For now, while the legal drama around Lively’s film project continues and both stars remain focused on their own careers, this subtle interaction is a reminder that friendships — even high-profile ones — can go through complicated seasons without ending altogether.

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