TMZ has revealed that Ashton Kutcher has decided to relinquish his role as the board chairman at the anti-child sex abuse entity, Thorn, which he established alongside his former spouse, Demi Moore.
Ashton Kutcher’s decision follows the backlash received from a letter he vouched for Danny Masterson, a move that sparked widespread condemnation.
Furthermore, Mila Kunis, Ashton’s spouse who served as a board observer at Thorn, is also stepping down from her position. The catalyst for their exit appears to be the overwhelming public discontentment stemming from their letters supporting Masterson, a co-star from “That ’70s Show”, who was found guilty of raping two women. The couple had hoped their letters would provide insight into Masterson’s personality during the sentencing phase, but this move has considerably backfired.
A Public Apology and Commitment to the Mission
In a letter to Thorn’s board that TIME secured, Ashton conveyed his deep remorse for adding to the pain of sexual abuse victims through his character statement for Masterson. Acknowledging the historical silencing of abuse victims, he accepted that his actions have further contributed to this distress. Following reflective conversations with survivors and the team at Thorn, Ashton deemed it appropriate to step down as the Chairman, effective immediately, to prevent any further distractions from Thorn’s vital work.
Read: Kutcher Ensnared in Spiralling Controversy: New Allegations Surface
Ashton articulated his sincere apologies to victims of sexual assault and the broader advocacy community, emphasizing that the mission’s integrity and focus should always remain at the forefront. He expressed deep regret for the hurt caused by his actions and reiterated his commitment to Thorn’s objective.
Facing the Repercussions
Not long ago, Ashton had appeared before Congress to fervently advocate for the protection of abuse victims, a moment now under close examination due to his recent defence of Masterson. Despite the couple’s video apology for their letters, they haven’t been able to quell the tide of criticism swelling online, indicating a significant impact on their reputations and potentially Thorn’s future activities.
