In what should have been a universally celebrated moment in music history, Taylor Swift’s unprecedented reclaiming of her first six albums’ master recordings was instead met with an awkward silence from one of her closest celebrity friends—Blake Lively.

On May 31, 2025, Swift announced to her 400 million Instagram followers that she had officially finalized the purchase of her masters, ending a years-long legal and emotional battle with Scooter Braun and the powerful men who profited from her early work. Swifties across the globe erupted in joy, and her closest allies flooded social media with support.

Selena Gomez was one of the first to post: “YES YOU DID THAT TAY!!! SO PROUD,” she wrote in all caps, alongside a screenshot of Swift’s announcement. Coming from someone who’s shared a 15-year ride-or-die friendship with Swift, the message hit with the emotional impact fans hoped for.

But while one bestie was screaming from the digital rooftops, another seemed curiously distracted.

Blake Lively, who has long been associated with Swift through holidays, matching Halloween costumes, and public outings, posted something entirely different on her Instagram story just hours after Swift’s announcement: a moody behind-the-scenes photo from the National Geographic documentary Secrets of the Penguins, for which she recently lent her voice as narrator.

There was no mention of Taylor. No “proud of you,” no heart emoji, not even a casual “congrats.” The timing was hard to ignore—and fans didn’t.

“Secrets of the Penguins” or Secrets of a Feud?

Viewers and Swifties alike were quick to draw the lines. “Why is Blake Lively posting about PENGUINS today of all days??,” one fan wrote on X. Another commented, “She had time to narrate a doc no one asked for but can’t post one word for her ‘best friend’ reclaiming her life’s work?”

To make matters worse, the documentary itself received lukewarm reviews. Critics called Lively’s narration “flat,” “uninspired,” and even “distracting.” One viral post noted, “The Hungarian dub was somehow more emotionally engaging.”

Others speculated that Lively’s post wasn’t just ill-timed—it was a calculated move. “This feels like a snub,” a longtime Swift fan wrote. “Either she’s trying to overshadow Taylor’s moment, or there’s more drama behind the scenes than we know.”

Travis, Ryan, and the Missing Follow

Adding fuel to the rumor fire was a digital breadcrumb that surfaced days before the penguin post: NFL star and Swift’s current boyfriend Travis Kelce had mysteriously unfollowed Ryan Reynolds—Blake’s husband—on Instagram. This silent unfollow didn’t go unnoticed and sent online sleuths spiraling into theories.

Was there tension between Reynolds and Kelce? Did it extend to Blake and Taylor? Some speculated that the friendship circle around Swift may be undergoing a major shakeup, especially as she shifts toward more serious political and industry power plays.

Selena Stands Strong—Is There a Divide?

Meanwhile, Selena Gomez’s unwavering support stood in stark contrast to Lively’s apparent indifference. Fans pointed out that Gomez has always been front and center when it mattered most for Swift—from standing up to media attacks, to cheering her on at award shows, to publicly siding with her during the Scooter Braun fallout.

“Selena’s always been real,” one fan posted. “She doesn’t switch up when the cameras are off. That post wasn’t just support—it was sisterhood.”

With Gomez and Lively both perceived as central pillars in Swift’s inner circle, fans are now wondering if there’s a hidden fracture in the once picture-perfect “girl gang.”

What Comes Next?

Despite the mounting speculation, neither Swift nor Lively has addressed the perceived snub. Swift has continued to focus on her historic achievement, while Lively has posted more neutral content related to environmental causes and her brand.

Still, fans are reading between every line. A simple like, an emoji, a shared post—none of it has come from Lively regarding Taylor’s masters.

Is it all just bad timing? A scheduling oversight? Or is the penguin documentary just a front for something much icier?

In the world of celebrity alliances, silence can be louder than applause—and Blake Lively’s quiet choice may have just opened the coldest front yet in Hollywood’s most surprising potential fallout of 2025.

One thing is certain: Swifties are watching. And they don’t forget.