Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis find themselves in a tight spot due to a letter they previously penned supporting Danny Masterson, a fellow actor from ‘That 70s Show’ convicted of rape. The couple did issue an apology for their initial letter; however, their efforts were met with intensified criticism, especially from one of Masterson’s victims, Chrissie Bixler.
A Troubling Video Resurfaces
Bixler, a former partner of Masterson, took to Instagram to further fuel the backlash by sharing an old video clip featuring Kutcher from his time hosting the comedy show ‘Punk’d’. In the shared segment, Kutcher makes unsettling remarks about Hillary Duff, 17 years old, mentioning her as one of the girls “everyone is waiting to turn 18,” likening her to the Olsen twins.
Furthermore, the online outrage grew with the circulation of two other video snippets, with one depicting a conversation between Kutcher and Kunis reminiscing about their first on-screen kiss when Kunis was just 14 and Kutcher 19. In this clip, Kutcher recalls how Masterson dared him with a $10 bet to engage in a ‘French kiss’ with Kunis. This was accompanied by another clip where Masterson and Kunis were seen discussing promotional material for the show, with Masterson making an inappropriate remark about Kunis’ appearance.
Cristina Ricci Weighs in on the Controversy
Adding to the situation’s complexity, the discussion broadened when Bixler included statements made by actress Cristina Ricci concerning the case. Although Ricci refrained from naming Masterson directly, she candidly addressed the difficulty in accepting that someone perceived as an ‘awesome guy’ could be guilty of such crimes.
In her reflective note, Ricci articulated the necessity of believing victims, stating that acknowledging the horrific actions of individuals we admire is challenging but essential. Ricci emphasized the crime of discrediting victims and urged people to stand firmly to support all victims – women, children, men, and boys. She concluded her note by highlighting the courage it takes for victims to come forward and the strenuous journey to secure a conviction, with a resounding call to “Believe victims”.
As Kutcher and Kunis face scrutiny for what many describe as ‘the worst apology ever’, and with increased attention on their perceived support for Masterson, the unfolding saga continues to grip the public’s attention, promoting a broader discussion on the importance of supporting abuse victims.
