Blake Lively's family defends her: 'I can promise you the truth has not come out yet'
Blake Lively's family members continue to come to her defense amid an online backlash that began during the promotional tour for her new movie, “It Ends With Us.”
Actor Bart Johnson, who is married to Lively’s older sister Robyn Lively, called out an Instagram user who criticized his sister-in-law in the comments of a birthday tribute he posted in her honor.
The commenter accused Blake Lively, who plays a victim of domestic abuse in "It Ends With Us," of "promoting happiness in a domestic violence setting without any regard for any victims."
“I’m really sorry you feel that way,” replied Johnson, who played Coach Bolton in the "High School Musical" franchise. “I’m sure you have a huge heart and want the best. I can promise you the truth has not come out yet. Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do in my entire life. Because it meant so much to her.”
Johnson went on to credit Blake Lively with helping to spread awareness about domestic violence by starring in the movie, which is based on Colleen Hoover's 2016 novel of the same name.
“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,” he wrote.
Johnson concluded by acknowledging that “mistakes” had been made with regard to the movie or possibly its promotion, but declined to address the mistakes specifically.
“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,” he wrote.
In the text of his birthday tribute, Johnson called Blake Lively his “best friend for 30 years." He recalled how he met Blake Lively after her father hired him to teach a teenage acting class.
He credited Blake Lively with “helping me gain favor of her older sister Robyn (now wife of 25 years).”
“For 30 years I’ve had the privilege of being friends with this kind, loving, committed, hard working and inspiring strong women!!" wrote Johnson. "Someone that wants to make the world a better place and has been such an exceptional role model in a million kinda ways to care for others, spread kindness and my personal favorite, putting her family first and being an AMAZING wife and mother."
He added, “When I grow up I wanna be just like her. I’ve got a long ways to go.”
Blake Lively became the target of scrutiny after rumors surfaced that she and her "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni, who also directed and executive produced the film, had been embroiled in an alleged on-set feud.
Online sleuths were quick to discover the two co-stars were not participating in promotional activities and interviews together. Baldoni did not post for photographs with Blake Lively and other cast members at the movie’s New York Aug. 6 premiere.
Blake Lively began facing a public backlash after online critics called out jokes and other remarks she's made during promotional interviews for “It Ends With Us,” saying her comments were tone-deaf given the movie's serious subject matter.
<a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/blake-lively-interview-controversy-it-ends-with-us-rcna166737" target="_blank">The Blake Lively backlash, explained </a>
<a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-controversy-drama-rcna165897" target="_blank">The ‘It Ends With Us’ cast drama and controversy, explained </a>
<a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-interview-rcna165792" target="_blank">Justin Baldoni laid his heart on the line for ‘It Ends With Us’ </a>
Blake Lively was also slammed after she launched her new hair care line during the movie's promotional tour.
Johnson's remarks in his sister-in-law's defense this week came the same day his wife, Robyn Lively, thanked a social media commenter for praising her sister's character.
Robyn Lively posted her own birthday tribute to Blake Lively on Instagram, telling her, "You are one of the best humans I know." One commenter responded by calling the former "Gossip Girl" star a "lovely human being."
"I hope she knows that the multitudes of people who love her is so much greater than the negative voices,” the commenter wrote.
Robyn Lively responded in a comment. “Thank you for this,” she wrote, adding a hands-up and red heart emoji.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
