AceShowbiz - Blake Lively celebrated her 37th birthday on August 25, and what might have just been another year marked in the calendar turned into a moment of solidarity and support from family and fans alike. The "Gossip Girl" alum has recently been under the media microscope for her promotional approach to her upcoming film, "It Ends With Us", based on Colleen Hoover's novel about domestic violence and abuse.

Lively's sister, Robyn Lively, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt birthday tribute, affirming their close sibling bond. "That's my birthday queen right there! I love this girl, my sister, my best friend, my little piggyback buddy! You are one of the best humans I know. HAPPY birthday, sissy britches!" she wrote.

The post saw several fans chiming in with their birthday wishes and words of encouragement for Blake. One user wrote, "Blake is a lovely human being! I hope she knows that the multitudes of people who love her far outweigh the negative voices. Happy Birthday, Blake!" to which Robyn responded, "Thank you for this."

The support comes at a critical time as Blake Lively faces backlash over her perceived "tone-deaf" promotional tactics. Social media users have criticized her for maintaining a humorous tone, even during serious interviews, and for promoting her new haircare line instead of focusing on the domestic violence themes central to the film. Her sarcastic response to a congratulation on her pregnancy during a past interview has also resurfaced, fueling the criticism further.

Adding to the controversy are the rumors of a feud between Blake and her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. Reports suggest creative differences led to a divide during the film's production, exacerbated by Blake's influence as a producer. An insider disclosed that the crew was allegedly split into two camps - Team Blake and Team Justin - impacting the working environment.

Despite the negative press, Blake has continued to express her passion for the film. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, she described the multifaceted nature of the story, "I really feel like we delivered a story that's emotional and it's fun, but also funny, painful, scary, tragic and it's inspiring and that's what life is, it's every single color." She underscored her commitment to doing justice to the beloved book and its complex themes.

On her birthday, Lively shared a message addressing domestic violence, aiming to keep the conversation focused on the film's intent. "One in 4 women aged 18 and older in the US alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people every year in the United States. Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence," Blake wrote on her Instagram Stories.

As the actress navigates these turbulent waters, it's clear her birthday served as a reminder of the support she continues to receive from both loved ones and loyal fans, emphasizing the dichotomy between the public scrutiny and personal backing she experiences.