The Hollywood battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni takes an unexpected turn as family members get involved in the controversy.
According to Daily Mail, Bart Johnson, who is married to Blake Lively's sister Robyn, issued a public apology on X (formerly Twitter) for his previous critical remarks about Justin Baldoni, including calling him a "fraud" and criticizing his appearance.
Johnson's apology comes amid an explosive $400 million lawsuit between Baldoni and the Lively-Reynolds family, which stems from sexual harassment allegations made by Blake Lively during the filming of "It Ends with Us."
The situation has escalated significantly since Lively initially filed complaints about Baldoni's behavior on set, leading to a complex legal battle that has drawn in multiple parties.
Johnson shared his remorse on X, acknowledging that speaking unkindly about others has always led to regret. He emphasized that such behavior falls below his personal standards, regardless of the circumstances or perceived justification.
In his deleted posts, which were captured by USA Today, Johnson had accused Baldoni of putting on a false persona, complete with a "man bun," while using trendy catchphrases for his podcasts. The High School Musical star suggested that Baldoni's reputation as a feminist and women's ally was merely theatrical.
When questioned about the potential legal consequences of his comments, Johnson responded with humor, maintaining that expressing opinions about podcasts being "phony" isn't illegal. He also mentioned receiving hostile responses from Baldoni's supporters.
The controversy began when Lively filed sexual harassment complaints against Baldoni, claiming he made inappropriate comments and showed explicit content during film production. These allegations led to Baldoni hiring crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, who previously worked with Johnny Depp.
Baldoni responded by filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Sources revealed to Daily Mail that the specific amount was chosen to match the couple's combined estimated net worth of $380 million.
The legal dispute has affected Baldoni's career, resulting in lost opportunities and being dropped by his agent. His team believes the lawsuit's amount reflects potential damages to his reputation and career prospects.
As the legal battle continues between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Johnson's public apology represents a significant shift in the public narrative surrounding the dispute.
The controversy began with Lively's sexual harassment allegations during the filming of "It Ends with Us" and has since evolved into a complex legal matter involving multiple parties, including Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, and various legal teams.
The outcome of the $400 million lawsuit remains uncertain as both sides prepare to present their cases in court, while the entertainment industry watches closely how this high-profile dispute will unfold.
