Blake Lively’s brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, made headlines this week after he “sincerely apologized” for any unkind remarks he may have made amid the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and her former co-star Justin Baldoni. Johnson, an actor known for his role in “Landman” and married to Robyn Lively, Blake’s older half-sister, expressed his regret in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Anytime I’ve said anything unkind about someone I’ve regretted it,” Johnson wrote on Tuesday. He emphasized that even when trying to stand up for someone or speak the truth, unkind words can be harmful. “Regardless if it’s true or not, if it’s my opinion, even if I’m trying to speak truth or stand up for someone, it’s never good,” he added.
In his post, Johnson acknowledged that making cheap remarks is “below the standard I have for myself” and offered a heartfelt apology to anyone he may have hurt. “I do sincerely apologize to anyone I’ve hurt or let down by saying something that sounds mean. I’ll do better,” he stated.
Johnson’s apology comes in the wake of a turbulent month for Lively, who has accused Baldoni’s attorney of attempting to “torpedo” her career. In his lengthy statement, Johnson mentioned that his followers would be “hard pressed” to find instances where he has criticized others on social media. Instead, he pointed out that he has consistently aimed to uplift and support his family, friends, and even strangers.
Interestingly, Johnson’s apology follows a controversial post he made in December, where he reportedly labeled Baldoni a “fraud.” This post has since been deleted, but it caught the attention of many. According to reports, Johnson had criticized Baldoni’s authenticity, claiming he was merely putting on a “costume” of a hero for his podcast, “Man Enough.”
Baldoni’s podcast explores contemporary masculinity and the impact of rigid gender roles on society. It aims to create a safe space for discussing various perspectives on masculinity, relationships, mental health, and more.
The legal troubles between Lively and Baldoni escalated significantly when Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in December against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and former public relations representatives. She alleged that Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign against her. On the same day, Baldoni filed a 0 million lawsuit against the New York Times concerning an article related to the alleged smear campaign.
In a further twist, Baldoni later filed a 0 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of attempting to hijack the narrative surrounding their film “It Ends With Us” and damaging his reputation.
Both Lively and Reynolds served as producers on “It Ends With Us,” which has been a focal point in their ongoing legal battles.