Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have found themselves facing criticism after their public support for Danny Masterson during his recent sentencing. The couple, who were both former co-stars with Masterson on the hit show ‘That ’70s Show’, had written letters to the judge attesting to Masterson’s good character and requesting leniency in his sentencing.
Key Takeaway
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologize for their letters of support for Danny Masterson, clarifying that they were not intended to discredit the verdict or undermine the allegations of rape made against him. They explain that their purpose was simply to share their personal experiences with Masterson as requested by his family.
However, their support of Masterson garnered significant backlash, prompting Kutcher and Kunis to release a video explaining their intentions. In the video, they emphasize that their letters were never meant to undermine the serious allegations of rape or cast doubt on the verdict. Instead, they wanted to provide their personal perspective on Masterson as individuals who knew him well.
Kutcher and Kunis assert that they are advocates for victims of sexual abuse and express their sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt by their actions. Interestingly, Kutcher’s past work combating human trafficking has also come under scrutiny, as his passionate testimony before Congress on protecting abuse victims resurfaced amidst the controversy.
It remains to be seen how the public will react to their apology. Many aspects of ‘That ’70s Show’ have been reexamined since Masterson’s imprisonment, including the portrayal of other cast members such as Topher Grace. While Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who played Red and Kitty Forman respectively, also wrote letters in support of Masterson, they have not faced the same level of backlash as Kutcher and Kunis.
As of now, other prominent cast members, including Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama, have chosen to remain silent on the matter.
