Blake Lively fans can’t believe she’s related to High School Musical star after he speaks out to defend her

Fans of Blake Lively are losing their minds upon learning she's related to a very well known face that was a huge part of many millennials' childhoods - and they've spoken out to defend the star.

Lively recently starred as Lily Bloom in the box office smash, It Ends With Us.

Based on the novel written by Colleen Hoover of the same name, It Ends With Us chronicles Lily's experiences with domestic violence, manipulation and abuse.

Directed by Justin Baldoni - who co-starred in the film as Ryle Kincaid, Lily's husband and abuser - it has been a huge commercial success.

The film has, in some regards, been overshadowed by the drama surrounding it though.

It came to light that none of the cast follow Baldoni on Instagram, and he hasn't attended any of the premieres or press runs with them, instead appearing to discuss the movie alone.

Rumours then swirled of tensions between Lively and Baldoni, boiling down to 'creative differences'.

Now, it has emerged that Lively is in fact related to High School Musical's Bart Johnson - and he's her brother-in-law, who is married to her sister Robyn Lively.

Bart played Coach Jack Bolton in the teen musical franchise.

Lively and Baldoni in It Ends With Us (Sony)

He has defended Lively from the negative attention she's been receiving, which has been due to people not thinking she's drawing enough attention to the issues portrayed in the film during her press run.

Bart responded to a critic on Instagram: "I’m really sorry you feel that way. I’m sure you have a huge heart and want the best. I can promise you the truth has not come out yet.

"Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do my entire life. Because it meant so much to her.”

He continued: "The message is in the book. And in the movie. Not in short clips / interviews. She is the reason the message / this movie/ is getting out. Were mistakes made? Yes. I make mistakes in life.

"But they aren’t under a microscope. Anyway, I respect your views. I got nothing but love for you.”

Lively herself revealed that there is some truth to the rumours of creative differences when she sat down for an interview with Hits Radio UK.

She admitted that she chose Lana Del Rey's song 'Cherry' to feature in a pivotal scene, and rolled her eyes as she admitted Baldoni 'begged' her to not to have to use it.

Lively with her brother-in-law Bart Johnson (Instagram/@bart_johnson)

She said: "They felt like it was too charged and heavy. Things are still good with Ryle at that point. So you don't want to feel that charge."

But Lively was having none of it.

She added: "I was like, f**k. The moment Atlas enters, things are charged and heavy. Like, there's conflict, there's pain, there's turmoil, there's tension, because you're like, 'Oh my god, my soulmate, the one that got away in my life, this person who's haunting me and everything I do and everywhere I go is here now and we still have that connection."

It has since emerged that Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, also wrote a scene of the film and this was a shock to Baldoni, who didn't know until after it was released.

A source told Variety that the news, which Lively admitted during a red carpet appearance, 'came as news to Baldoni, who thought the scene had been ad libbed by Lively'.