Thursday, September 19, 2024

Blake Lively’s brother-in-law defends actress amid ‘It Ends With Us’ drama — but admits ‘mistakes’ were made

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Coach Bolton is on Blake Lively’s side.

The actress’ brother-in-law Bart Johnson, who played Zac Efron’s dad in “High School Musical,” replied to a negative Instagram comment about the drama surrounding Lively’s latest movie, “It Ends With Us.”

The exchange began when a social media user claimed the film, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s book of the same name, promoted “happiness in a domestic violence setting without any regard for any victims.”

Bart Johnson is defending Blake Lively amid “It Ends With Us” drama. bart_johnson/Instagram
The actor insisted the film “meant so much” to his sister-in-law. WireImage

Lively, notably, has been slammed for telling fans to “grab [their] florals” and friends when heading to the theater, as well as selling her Blake Brown Beauty haircare and Betty Buzz alcohol while doing press.

On Wednesday, Johnson responded, “I’m really sorry you feel that way. I’m sure you have a huge heart and want the best.

“I can promise you the truth has not come out yet,” the actor, 53, continued. “Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do in my entire life. Because it meant so much to her.”

Robyn Lively’s husband praised Blake’s “hard” work on the project. bart_johnson/Instagram
However, he acknowledged “mistakes” in the movie’s promotion. bart_johnson/Instagram

Robyn Lively’s husband went on to write that people should focus on the “message is in the book … and in the movie” as opposed to “short clips [and] interviews.”

He noted, “She is the reason the message/this movie/is getting out.”

However, he acknowledged, “Were mistakes made? Yes. I make mistakes in life. But they aren’t under a microscope. Anyway, I respect your views. I got nothing but love for you.”

Blake is under fire for her “insensitive” promotion of the film, which depicts domestic violence. ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
She and director Justin Baldoni have made headlines for an alleged feud. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

Johnson, who has been married to Robyn, 52, since 1999, gushed over Lively via Instagram on Sunday for her birthday.

“For 30 years I’ve had the privilege of being fiends with this kind, loving, committed, hard working and inspiring strong wom[a]n!!” he wrote. “Someone that wants to make the world a better place and has been such an exceptional role model in a million kinda ways.”

Robyn, for her part, called her sibling her “best friend” and “piggy back buddy” in her own post.

The co-stars have yet to address the speculation. GC Images
Robyn came to Blake’s defense over the weekend. @robynlively/Instagram

The “Teen Witch” star also left a supportive comment for a fan who wrote, “Blake is a lovely human being! I hope she knows that the multitudes of people who love her is so much greater than the negative voices.”

Blake has yet to address her press tour controversy — but did subtly clap back by sharing an interview of herself speaking about the movie’s serious themes.

“She defines herself, and I think that’s deeply empowering,” she told BBC News in the clip. “No one else can define you. No experience can define you. You define you.”

She thanked a fan urging her sister to avoid the “negative voices” on her birthday. @robynlively/Instagram
Johnson also posted a touching tribute for Blake’s birthday. WireImage

Jana Kramer told “Whine Down” listeners on Sunday that she disagreed with the sentiment as a domestic violence survivor herself.

“For people to say it doesn’t define you, it does define you,” the “One Tree Hill” alum, 40, said. “It has made me who I am.”

Blake has also stayed silent around the feud speculation swirling between her and director Justin Baldoni, with Page Six reporting that he made her feel “uncomfortable” on set amid rumors she “sidelined” him.

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