Did Blake Lively’s Brother-in-Law apologise to Justin Baldoni for his ‘unkind’ comments?

Blake Lively's brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, has issued an apology after making critical remarks about Justin Baldoni, the actress’s co-star in It Ends with Us, as mentioned in a report by USA Today.

The comments, which were posted on social media last month, have since been deleted.

Johnson, who is married to Blake Lively’s half-sister Robyn Lively, acknowledged that his remarks were not in line with his personal values and expressed regret for any harm caused

Johnson Offers Public Apology

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Johnson reflected on his past statements, noting that he regrets saying anything negative about another person.

While he did not specifically mention Baldoni or his earlier comments, he wrote:

"Anytime I've said anything unkind about someone, I've regretted it. Regardless of whether it's true or not, even if I'm trying to speak truth or stand up for someone, it's never good."

He further admitted that even when criticism feels justified, it remains unproductive.

"It’s below the standard I have for myself, and I regret it. I do sincerely apologize to anyone I’ve hurt or let down by saying something that sounds mean."

Previous Comments on Justin Baldoni

The controversy began on December 23, when Johnson posted a now-deleted message on X, calling Baldoni a “fraud” and taking a dig at his signature man bun.

"He’s a fraud. He puts on the 'costume' of a hero, man bun and all," Johnson wrote at the time. "Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzzwords for his podcasts. None of it’s genuine. It’s all theater. And everyone fell for it. For years."

Johnson’s criticism came shortly after Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment during the production of It Ends with Us, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel.

Legal Battle Between Lively and Baldoni Escalates

The feud between Lively and Baldoni has escalated into a legal dispute, with both actors filing lawsuits on New Year’s Eve.

Baldoni has also taken legal action against The New York Times, alleging defamation over its reporting on Lively’s allegations.

Additionally, on January 16, Baldoni filed a separate lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion.

The legal proceedings are expected to be lengthy, with U.S. District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman announcing that the lawsuits will be consolidated.

The trial is currently set for March 9, 2026.

Johnson Aims to Move Forward

In his latest statement, Johnson noted that he rarely engages in public criticism, stating:

"If you follow me, you know you'll be hard-pressed to find more than one time I’ve criticized anyone on social. It’s not my jam. We all have flaws, and I’m definitely a work in progress, doing my best to grow and be better."

His apology comes amid increasing attention on the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni, which continues to generate headlines.

FAQs

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From 2007 to 2010, Blake Lively was in a relationship with her Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley. She met Ryan Reynolds in early 2010 while co-starring in Green Lantern.

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