Last week, actor Danny Masterson was found guilty of rape and sentenced to thirty years in prison. This weekend, the judge released the letters he received from various people in support of Masterson. These letters were sent to the judge in hopes Masterson would receive leniency. Ashton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis worked with Masterson on 'That 70's Show' for years and were part of the letter writing initiative. Since the letters have been released for public consumption, the pair have faced intense backlash.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis just posted this video, with heavily lawyered language, in response to the reaction to their writing letters on behalf of Danny Masterson.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 9, 2023
It’s important to note that the letters weren’t just character letters you’d write for a friend.
The… pic.twitter.com/DegzlcNXXv
Clearly, they are regretting that decision.
Jane Doe #1 aka Jen B, one of the women Danny Masterson was convicted of raping, just texted me her reaction to Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis' video:
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 9, 2023
"This video was incredibly insulting and hurtful. My hope is that they learn radical accountability and the importance of… https://t.co/2S9IwA6n5k
Investigative Journalist, Yashar Ali, also shared direct reaction from one of the victims.
I hate this SO much. Not only did they submit letters IN DEFENSE of a rapist, but then come out days after his conviction to gas light everyone and try to save face. Of COURSE it was a tactic to undermine the victims. YOU ARE DEFENDING THE CHARACTER OF A RAPIST! https://t.co/gjfOvpD1dm
— Kate (@katyruddrn) September 9, 2023
It is pretty clear what they were attempting to do.
This is just so deflating honestly. I’m not big on celebrity news so always viewed these two as really cool and good
— Michael Lange (@MichaelDavLange) September 9, 2023
Lowlife Hollywood elitists. Kiss your shit careers goodbye. https://t.co/DRMImk7Odn
— Boston Radio Watch®️ (@bostonradio) September 9, 2023
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Dear Jen B, I'm so sorry you have to deal with his supporters like this. I wish you peace and healing and joy ....all in good time. ❤️
— Poppy (@tsaiphi25) September 9, 2023
I don't blame the victims for being upset. This was so insincere. I have seen the clips. They knew for 25 years who he was and did it anyway. Despicable pic.twitter.com/kUvzrst1jK
— Dawn Anderson (@Dma102077) September 9, 2023
A five year age difference is barely even noticable now. But when you realize that they met when he was 19 and she was 14 ...
— Geonn Cannon (@GeonnCannon) September 9, 2023
Some reflected on the culture of the show and how Mila was such a young girl when she first began a relationship with Ashton.
Wait, so they're saying they wrote the letters to get him a lighter sentence, so how does that NOT undermine the seriousness of the crimes and what the victims went through? Their logic makes no sense.
— ☃️Jonathan🐈 (@dvduadotcom) September 9, 2023
• trouble making eye contact
— fuelgrannie (@fuelgrannie) September 9, 2023
• seeing themselves as misunderstood victims
• enabling a literal abusive serial rapist
that 70s snow job https://t.co/LnrI0CMFAV
Mila and Ashton, respectfully, no one is buying your excuses for why you defended a convicted rapist. You may have been asked to do so but at the same time you could of refused. You didn’t. You had months to read the victims testimony and you didn’t. Shame on you! https://t.co/TDATXdG4DO
— J Is For Justice (@Jis4Justice13) September 9, 2023
"Please dont let our support of a sex offender harm our careers in any way." https://t.co/5aQG68SXCB
— IANdrew Dice Clay (@IANdrewTheGiant) September 9, 2023
Mila and Ashton are incredibly wealthy, luckily for them. This decision has probably hobbled their career for a bit and they will likely be advised to take a bit of a hiatus.