Blake Lively's 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' co-stars, Colleen Hoover defend her

Even after two decades, the sisterhood runs deep.

Actresses America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn, who co-starred with Blake Lively in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" franchise, issued a joint statement on Sunday in support of Lively after she accused "It Ends with Us" co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a "smear campaign" against her.

"As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation," the statement, shared on Instagram, read. "We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others."

In a complaint filed Friday, Lively and her legal team alleged Baldoni — who also directed the Colleen Hoover adaptation — coordinated a PR campaign with a crisis firm to "destroy" Lively's reputation after she took issue with on-set behavior.

The offending behavior allegedly included "improvised physical intimacy" during filming, inquiries about Lively's sex life with husband Ryan Reynolds, unwanted discussion of Baldoni's genitalia, and criticism of Lively's weight.

"We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment," Lively's "Sisterhood" co-stars wrote on Instagram.

Lively starred with Ferrera, Bledel, and Tamblyn in 2005's "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," a coming-of-age drama based on the young adult book series by Ann Brashares. The film, which centers on a group of teen girls who share a pair of mysterious jeans, grossed $42 million worldwide and spawned a 2008 sequel.

Blake Lively takes legal action: Actress files complaint against 'It Ends with Us' co-star for sexual harassment

'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' co-stars blast 'hypocrisy' of Blake Lively's on-set allegations

Lively and Baldoni's film "It Ends with Us" follows a flower shop owner named Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), who falls in love with a dashing neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) and reconnects with her stoic childhood sweetheart, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar). The movie also grapples with the insidious nature of domestic violence and cycles of abuse across generations.

Lively's "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" co-stars lamented the actress's alleged experience of making the film, given its focus on gender-based violence.

All of Blake Lively's allegations: Unwanted kissing, smear tactics and more

"Throughout the filming of'It Ends with Us,' we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice," the actresses wrote in a joint statement on Instagram.

They added: "Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding."

Colleen Hoover, Blake Lively's sister voice support for 'It Ends With Us' star

The "Sisterhood" stars' defense of Lively comes after Hoover voiced her support for the actress on social media Saturday. In a message posted to her Instagram Story, the author wrote: "@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."

Lively's sister and fellow actress Robyn Lively also voiced her support for her sister, calling her "one of the kindest, most honest and loving humans I know."

"Blake isn't a villain. She's a mama bear to her core, a loving and supportive wife, a sister, a friend, and someone who worked her ass off on a film in abominable working conditions," Robyn Lively captioned screenshots of the Times story on Instagram early Monday.

The "Lioness" and "Landman" actress also starred alongside her sister as Ms. Byland in "It Ends With Us."

"You can certainly disagree with the marketing campaign if you want," Robyn Lively added. "Mistakes were made, but she isn't the creative behind these decisions and shouldn't shoulder the sole responsibility for them."

Her "A Simple Favor" director, Paul Feig, also shared his support for the actress.

"I've now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she's one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I've ever worked with," Feig, who also directed the actress in the forthcoming film "A Simple Favor 2," wrote on X. "She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it's awful she was put through this."

What Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni have said about legal complaint

After filing her complaint against Baldoni, Lively reflected on her decision to take legal action in a statement to The New York Times published Saturday.

"I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," Lively told the Times.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni feuded. Next came the smear campaign, she alleges.

In his own statement to The New York Times, an attorney representing Baldoni's production company, Bryan Freedman, described Lively's allegations as "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media."

Freedman maintained that Wayfarer Studios did not retaliate against Lively and "only responded to incoming media inquiries to ensure balanced and factual reporting and monitored social activity."

Contributing: Jay Stahl, Brendan Morrow and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blake Lively's 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' co-stars defend her