5 Shocking Ways Blake Lively’s Brother-in-Law, Bart Johnson, Got Caught Up In The 'It Ends With Us' Drama
The worlds of Upper East Side glamour and East High Wildcats basketball unexpectedly collided in late 2024 and early 2025, bringing the private family life of Blake Lively into the public eye. As of December 18, 2025, the most recent and compelling story connecting actress Blake Lively and actor Bart Johnson—best known as Coach Jack Bolton from the *High School Musical* franchise—is not a new movie collaboration, but a dramatic, public defense and subsequent apology related to the controversy surrounding Lively's film, *It Ends With Us*.
The core of their relationship is a deep family bond: Bart Johnson is the husband of Blake’s older sister, Robyn Lively. This connection became headline news when Johnson fiercely defended his sister-in-law amid a highly publicized conflict with the film’s director, Justin Baldoni, proving that family loyalty trumps Hollywood politics, even if it leads to public retraction.
Blake Lively and Bart Johnson: Dual Biography and Family Ties
While their public personas seem worlds apart—Lively a fashion icon and A-list movie star, and Johnson a beloved Disney Channel patriarch—their shared connection through the Lively-Johnson family unit is extensive. Understanding their individual careers and their shared lineage is crucial to grasping the depth of the recent drama.
Blake Lively: The Hollywood Powerhouse
- Full Name: Blake Ellender Lively (née Brown)
- Born: August 25, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (m. 2012)
- Children: Four daughters (names include James, Inez, Betty, and a fourth unnamed child)
- Career Highlights:
- Breakthrough role in *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* (2005).
- Iconic role as Serena van der Woodsen in the CW series *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012).
- Starring roles in films like *The Town* (2010), *Savages* (2012), *The Age of Adaline* (2015), and *A Simple Favor* (2018).
- Producer and star of the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, *It Ends With Us*.
- Founder of the non-alcoholic beverage company, Betty Buzz.
Bart Johnson: Coach, Actor, and Director
- Full Name: Barton Robert Johnson
- Born: December 13, 1970, in Hollywood, California, U.S.
- Spouse: Robyn Lively (m. 1999)
- Children: Three children (Kate, Baylen, and Wyatt)
- Career Highlights:
- Best known for his role as Coach Jack Bolton, the father of Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), in the globally successful *High School Musical* trilogy (2006–2008).
- Appeared in television series such as *JAG*, *CSI: Miami*, and *The Client List*.
- Starred alongside his wife, Robyn Lively, in the Pure Flix film *Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters* (2022).
- Has a recurring role in the Taylor Sheridan universe, appearing in the series *Yellowstone* and *The Rookie*.
The Lively-Johnson Family Tree
Bart Johnson is married to Blake Lively’s half-sister, Robyn Lively, a well-known actress in her own right, famous for roles in *Teen Witch* and *Doogie Howser, M.D.*. Robyn and Bart married in 1999 and have three children, making Blake Lively their aunt. This deep-rooted family connection means Bart is often seen defending and supporting Blake and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in both public and private life, which set the stage for the recent *It Ends With Us* storm.
The 'It Ends With Us' Controversy and Bart Johnson’s Public Defense
The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, *It Ends With Us*, was one of the most anticipated releases of 2024. However, the production was plagued by controversy, including backlash over casting, costume design, and a highly publicized rift between star/producer Blake Lively and director/co-star Justin Baldoni.
The drama escalated into a public feud that Bart Johnson, in a clear display of family loyalty, felt compelled to address. His actions, which were quickly picked up by major news outlets, became the most talked-about development in the story, momentarily shifting the focus from the film itself to the internal Hollywood dynamics.
Here are the five shocking ways Bart Johnson inserted himself into the controversy:
- He Publicly Slammed Justin Baldoni as a “Fraud”: In a now-deleted social media post, Bart Johnson fiercely defended Blake Lively, directly targeting Justin Baldoni. He reportedly called Baldoni a "fraud" and suggested that the public did not know the "truth" of what was happening behind the scenes of the production. This was a direct, aggressive intervention by a family member into a professional dispute.
- He Deleted the Incendiary Post: The original post, which was a clear and public attack on a major Hollywood director, was quickly deleted from Johnson's social media platforms. The swift removal suggested that the comment may have been a spontaneous, emotionally charged defense that was later deemed inappropriate or too damaging by his or Lively's team.
- He Issued a Formal Apology: Following the public outcry and the deletion of the post, Johnson issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on January 28, 2025, apologizing for his comments. He expressed regret for his "unkind" words and for inserting himself into the conflict, specifically mentioning the lawsuits Baldoni was facing at the time. This apology was a necessary step to de-escalate the situation.
- He Linked the Drama to Baldoni’s Legal Issues: Johnson's original defense and subsequent apology were made "amid Justin Baldoni lawsuits," suggesting his defense of Blake Lively was tied to a broader critique of Baldoni's professional conduct and legal troubles, not just a simple on-set disagreement. This added a layer of serious complexity to the feud.
- He Defended Lively on Her Birthday: The controversy reignited when Johnson publicly defended Lively on her birthday, August 25, amid continued online criticism of her promoting the film. This showed a persistent effort to stand by his sister-in-law, even when facing online backlash from social media users who were disapproving of Lively's actions related to the film's promotion.
The Deepening of the Lively-Reynolds and Lively-Johnson Family Dynamic
The public spat involving Bart Johnson, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni highlights the intensity of the family unit that Blake Lively is a part of. The Lively family—including Blake, her sister Robyn Lively, and brother-in-law Bart Johnson—are known for their tight-knit relationships, which also extends to Blake's husband, Ryan Reynolds.
A Hollywood Dynasty of Support
The Lively siblings—including Eric Lively, Lori Lively, and Jason Lively—all work in the entertainment industry, having followed in the footsteps of their parents, Elaine and Ernie Lively. This shared professional background means that when one family member faces public scrutiny, the others are quick to rally in support. Bart Johnson’s defense of Blake Lively, though perhaps ill-advised, was a quintessential example of this "family first" approach in Hollywood.
The incident also provides a unique look into the private dynamics of the family. It is easy to imagine the conversations behind the scenes involving Blake, Ryan Reynolds (known for his sharp wit and media savvy), and the rest of the family as they navigated the fallout from Johnson's comments and subsequent apology. The drama underscores that even the most polished Hollywood stars rely on the fierce loyalty of their relatives.
The Aftermath and Moving Forward
Since the apology, the focus has shifted back to the film's release and the individual careers of the actors. Bart Johnson continues his work, often appearing in projects with his wife, Robyn Lively, reinforcing their family-centric professional life. Meanwhile, Blake Lively has moved on to new projects, including directing, and continues to manage her successful brand, Betty Buzz. The entire event serves as a modern cautionary tale about the blurred lines between personal, family, and professional life in the age of social media, where a simple family defense can quickly spiral into a global news story.
The connection between the *Gossip Girl* star and the *High School Musical* Coach Bolton remains a fascinating footnote in Hollywood's family trees, cemented by a moment of unexpected, but fierce, family loyalty during a major movie controversy. The drama has passed, but the lesson—never underestimate the power of a protective brother-in-law—remains.
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