Bart Johnson Defends Sister-In-Law Blake Lively Amid ‘It Ends With Us’ Drama: “The Truth Hasn’t Come Out Yet”

Blake Lively’s brother-in-law Bart Johnson is defending the It Ends With Us star amid rumors of behind-the-scenes drama.

The High School Musical alum, married to Lively’s sister Robyn Lively, shut down a fan’s claim about the Gossip Girl alum.

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Johnson celebrated Lively’s birthday this week with a post in her honor. A fan replied to the Instagram post saying it was a “shame” that Lively was “set on promoting happiness in a domestic violence setting without any regard for any victims.”

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“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,” Johnson replied. “Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do my entire life. Because it meant so much to her.”

Johnson continued, “The message is in the book. And in the movie. Not in short clips / interviews. She is the reason the message / this movie / is getting out.”

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The actor who reprised his role of Coach Bolton in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series added, “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.”

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It Ends With Us is an adaptation of the 2016 Colleen Hoover novel of the same name. The film, directed by Justin Baldoni from a screenplay by Christy Hall, follows Lively’s Lily Bloom, a recent college graduate who moves to Boston to start a new chapter in her life. When Lily meets Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon finishing his residency there, the two gravitate toward each other. The book takes on themes like domestic abuse and toxic relationships.

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Tension among the leading stars was noticeable during the press tour to promote the movie. Baldoni and Lively did not appear together at the film’s premiere, nor did they have any joint interviews. Amid the rumored drama, Baldoni hired crisis PR management. The chatter about the stars alleged feuding has not deterred moviegoers from seeing the film, which recently crossed $100M at the domestic box office.

In a second response, Johnson said, “The truth hasn’t come out yet. It’s going to.”

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