Blake Lively’s brother-in-law DEFENDS actress amid It Ends With Us drama with co-star Justin Baldoni: ‘The truth has not come out yet’

Blake Lively‘s brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, who is married to her older sister Robyn, fiercely came to her defense amid criticism over her promotion of It Ends with Us – cryptically teasing that ‘the truth has not come out yet.’

Although the majority of her inner circle, including her husband Ryan Reynolds and BFF Taylor Swift have remained silent in the wake of Lively’s career crisis, Johnson, 53, showed his unwavering support for the Gossip Girl, 37, on Instagram.

As he wished her a happy birthday on Monday, the actor, who famously played Zac Efron‘s dad in High School Musical, reflected on their longtime friendship.

‘My best friend for 30 years! Blakes dad gave me a job teaching his teenage acting class after working with him on my very first job as an actor on a film called, Mi Familia,’ he began.

He continued: ‘Countless stories of family trips and vacations, chaperoning her school field trips and MOST important, helping me gain favor of her older sister Robyn (now wife of 25 years) who didn’t know I existed for years after knowing Blake!!’

Blake Lively’s brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, who is married to her older sister Robyn, fiercely came to her defense amid criticism over her promotion of It Ends with Us

‘For 30 years I’ve had the privilege of being fiends with this kind, loving, committed, hard working and inspiring strong women!! 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 raved.

Johnson concluded: ‘When I grow up I wanna be just like her. I’ve got a long ways to go. LOVE YOU BLAKE!!! (These are some of my very favored pics over the years, especially swing dancing in the airport). HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!!!’

Under the post, he replied to one of his followers comments claiming Lively was wrong for ‘promoting happiness in a domestic violence setting without any regard for any victims.’

‘I’m really sorry you feel that way,’ he wrote back. ‘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 insist that her work on the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, It Ends With Us, has an important ‘message.’

‘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.

Still, he seemingly acknowledged that promotion of the film could have been better.

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

Lively and her It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni (pictured earlier this month) reportedly clashed on set over creative differences

Johnson’s post comes after Lively’s sister, Robyn, called her ‘one of the best humans’ she knows in her own birthday tribute.

‘I love this girl, my sister, my best friend, my little piggy back buddy!’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘HAPPY birthday sissy britches!’

Both Blake and Robyn are the children of talent manager Elaine Lively. Their siblings Lori,57, Eric, 43, and Jason Lively, 56, are also actors.

Blake has come under fire recently over her ‘tone deaf’ remarks during her latest press tour and allegations of drama behind the scenes between her and Baldoni.

The controversy and public outrage hasn’t hurt the movie, which deals with a woman escaping an abusive relationship.

Although the majority of her inner circle, including her husband Ryan Reynolds and BFF Taylor Swift have remained silent about public outrage over Lively’s ‘tone deaf’ remarks during her latest press tour, Johnson, 53, showed his unwavering support for the Gossip Girl, 37, on Instagram

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As he wished her a happy birthday on Monday, the actor, who famously played Zac Efron’s dad in High School Musical, reflected on their longtime friendship

‘My best friend for 30 years! Blakes dad gave me a job teaching his teenage acting class after working with him on my very first job as an actor on a film called, Mi Familia,’ he began

The film was in third place over the weekend after three weeks in theaters with a payday of $11.85 million. The drama has made more than $242.6 million globally.

Many fans agreed with Robyn’s assessment of the situation and her description of her baby sister.

‘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. Happy birthday Blake!!’ wrote one fan.

‘Thank you for this,’ replied Robyn, who also had a role in It Ends With Us.

‘Finally a post about Blake I can get behind!,’ commented another follower.

‘Happy Birthday Mamacita! Enjoy it, bask in it, take a load off & run wild ladies x.’

Johnson’s post comes after Lively’s sister, Robyn, called her ‘one of the best humans’ she knows in her own birthday tribute