‘High School Musical’ star Bart Johnson slams ‘cheat’ Justin Baldoni as he backs sister-in-law Blake Lively

Bart Johnson doesn’t hold his tongue when it comes to criticism Justin Baldoni.

The Musical High School actor — who is married to Blake Livelyhis sister Robyn Lively shouted Jane the Virgin star on social media, questioning Baldoni’s values ​​and character after THE gossip girl the actress accused him of inappropriate behavior on the set of It ends with us.

Following Lively’s allegations that Baldoni sexually harassed her, buried her HR complaints about his behavior and orchestrated an online smear campaign to damage her reputation—all of which were denied by Baldoni’s attorney—Johnson accused the the actor-director of hypocrisy and manipulation. “He’s a fraud” wrote on X Monday. “He dons his hero ‘costume’, man bun and all. He used all the catchphrases and buzzwords for his podcasts. None of this is authentic.”

A representative for Baldoni did not immediately respond Entertainment Weeklyhis request for comment.

Related: Justin Baldoni’s ex-publicist is suing actor and his PR team over alleged Blake Lively smear campaign

Johnson, who played Zac Efronhis on-screen father in Musical High School trilogy, perhaps referring to Baldoni’s reputation as a feminist ally, cultivated in part by the actor’s podcast. Man enoughhis TED Talk on redefining masculinity and his repeated discussions of domestic violence on the topic It ends with us press circuit. “It’s all theater,” Johnson claimed. “And everyone fell in love with it. For years. Watch his videos again with a more critical eye and watch him compliment and brag with false humility and self-deprecation. What a performance.”

Lively’s lawyers made a similar argument in the actress’ 80-page complaint against him It ends with us director, which EW reviewed. “Mr. Baldoni was desperate to suppress any suggestion that he engaged (in) inappropriate behavior, much less sexually harassing behavior, because it would completely undermine his carefully curated public image as a feminist ally,” the complaint states. “Mr. Baldoni has created a public image of himself not just as an ally but as a fierce advocate for women. Contrary to this image, as detailed above, Mr. Baldoni has devoted the last several months and significant resources to his goal of wanting to “bury” and “destroy” Ms. Lively because and -expressed concern about his and his CEO’s harassing behavior and other disturbing behavior”.

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, denied all allegations of wrongdoing when Lively’s complaint was made public. “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally slanderous, with the intent to hurt the public and repeat a narrative in the media,” Freedman told EW in a statement at the time, calling Lively’s allegations “yet another attempt desperate to ‘fix’ the negative reputation that was earned from her own remarks and actions while campaigning for the film.”

Related: Justin Baldoni’s Podcast Co-Host Liz Plank Quits Show Amid Blake Lively Harassment Complaint

Johnson also responded to Lively’s criticism in the comments section a New York Times‘ Instagram post Friday. “Her complaints were made during filming. On the record. Long before the public conflict,” Johnson claimed. “Read this article before you (spit) ignorance. His PR team was stellar. Disgusting and disgusting but extremely effective. Read the article, their text exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary “No one is without flaws. But the audience played.”

The comment echoed Lively’s allegations that Baldoni hired a crisis PR firm to defend him against potential public backlash and generate negative online sentiment toward his co-star. “They manipulated the social conversation to discredit and ‘bury’ Ms. Lively in retaliation for reporting her concerns about harassment and unsafe behavior during the production of the film and in hopes of discouraging Ms. Lively from going public with the same concerns ,” the complaint states. “This campaign was (devastating) to Ms. Lively, including by causing her substantial harm to Ms. Lively, her family, as well as her businesses and all the people who work at each of them.”

Related: Amber Heard backs Blake Lively after Justin Baldoni hires Johnny Depp crisis firm: ‘I saw it firsthand’

Freedman criticized the complaint’s inclusion of private messages between PR representatives who worked for Baldoni, claiming that Baldoni and his colleagues at Wayfarer Studios “did nothing proactive or retaliated and only responded to inquiries from the media to ensure balanced and factual reporting and monitoring of social activity. He continued: “What is conspicuously missing from the selected correspondence (in Lively’s complaint) is evidence that no proactive actions were taken with the media or otherwise; only internal script planning and private correspondence to establish a strategy , which is standard operating procedure with public relations professionals.”

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In the days since she went public with her complaint, Lively has received an outpouring of support from past and present collaborators, including them The Sisterhood of the Travel Pants costars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblynand Alexis Bledel; A simple favor film maker Paul Feig; and It ends with us author Colleen Hoover.

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