Taylor Swift’s most successful relationship is not with Travis Kelce, sorry

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively proved why the best relationships are not romantic ones as they stood together in friendship through thick and thin for almost 10 years.

While the recording artist might be known for her chaotic relationship history, Taylor Swift’s close-knit circle of friends is a better example of hardy relationships.

They saw her through a rocky relationship with Matty Healy, watched on as she released acclaimed album after acclaimed album, and they are now present for her ongoing love with Travis Kelce.

Though Taylor Swift‘s friendship circle has shifted over the years, Blake Lively has remained a firm staple in her life.

Let’s take a look at Taylor and Blake’s relationship, from the origins of the blond buddies to how Ryan Reynolds factors into the equation.

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Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s friendship began in 2015

Almost a decade ago, Blake Lively was accused of throwing shade at the singer as she compared her L’Oreal campaign to Taylor’s Bad Blood music video.

Thankfully, the actress hit back at trolls with: “Umm whoever thought I was throwin’ shade clearly doesn’t know I have a ‘Taylor Swift Please Be My Wife Voo Doo Doll’ #obsessed. Love my Canadian family almost as much as I love Taylor Lively. I mean Swift. Ok, FIIINE we can hyphenate our last names. Xo Blake Swift-Lively 4eva.”

The two soon met up in Australia, forming a friendship that would last years and spark adorable moments like Taylor including Blake’s kids in her music.

The following year, Blake wished her bestie a Happy Birthday on Instagram with: “People Who I Not Only Really Love, But Also Really LIKE, That Were Born Yesterday: Part 1 of 2. @taylorswift you know how I feel.”

Party all the time

With such busy schedules between movies, kids, and Taylor’s many, many, digital releases, Blake Lively and Taylor Swift are only in close proximity on rare occasions.

This started a trend of attending partying together, which began in 2016 as Taylor and her boyfriend Tom Hiddleston celebrated the 4th of July with Blake and Ryan. I mean, if you’re invited to Taylor’s iconic July 4th parties, you know you’ve made it.

Over the years, Blake and Ryan, who have been married since 2012, have attended many of Taylor’s bashes from birthday parties to Halloween soirées.

Taylor’s music is a Reynolds family affair

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Being besties with arguably the biggest recording artist on the planet sure does have its perks, as Blake and Ryan know All Too Well. In 2017, the couple’s eldest daughter James was featured on Taylor’s track Gorgeous as they barely kept it together during a live performance.

“A little intro there, yeah,” Reynolds said on Good Morning America about the song in 2018. “That was a voice memo that ended up on a [Taylor Swift] song. It’s pretty amazing. My daughter has a really, really terrible ego problem now after that song.”

Another heartwarming nod came in 2020 when Taylor featured James, Inez, and Blake’s mystery third baby in her track Betty.

“I was walking home on broken cobblestones / Just thinking of you when she pulled up like / A figment of my worst intentions / She said ‘James, get in, let’s drive,” the lyrics read.

When accepting a Grammy for folklore in 2021, Taylor further paid tribute as she shouted out “Betty, James, and Inez” and their parents during her acceptance speech.

In November 2021, Blake Lively stepped out of the actor’s chair and into the role of director on Taylor Swift’s I Bet You Think About Me music video.

Though some husbands keep away from friends of their wives, Deadpool actor Ryan has been front and center throughout much of Taylor and Blake’s friendship. During one of Taylor’s SNL appearances in November 2021, Ryan even stepped up as the designated photographer.

Alongside attending Taylor’s parties with his wife, Ryan has enjoyed listening to Taylor’s music at various performances over the years. At one point, Taylor even dubbed him “Blake’s sperm donor“, which the actor took lightly.

Taylor Swift is in her new era, and she brought Blake along with her

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images© Celebrity Tidbit

The world might be head over heels for Taylor and Travis Kelce’s relationship, but her most successful relationship is undoubtedly with best bud Blake Lively. Naturally, she bought the Simple Favor actor along for the NFL ride.

In October 2023, Blake and Ryan attended one of Travis’ football games alongside Taylor and even Hugh Jackman.

Just two months later, Blake published a gushing statement about female friendships.

“When I grew up, women were always pit against one another. It took me until adulthood to see that the instinct for women to lift each other up to their highest potential is the norm not the exception,” she said via Instagram.

“Most of my best friends are women who would’ve been packaged to me as threats or competition. It’s our job to show younger generations the power in aligning rather than dividing.”

Earlier this year, Blake and Ryan again attended a game as Travis competed during the Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

With Blake currently under fire from fans and critics alike, here’s to hoping that her friendship with Taylor Swift means her fans will defend Blake with similar passion.