Married “That ’70s Show” stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis took some heat over the weekend for writing “character letters” on behalf of their co-star, now a convicted rapist, Danny Masterson.
Masterson was convicted in late May on two counts of rape and was sentenced on Thursday to serve 30 years to life in prison — but prior to sentencing, his legal defense team and family reportedly reached out to friends and colleagues to speak on behalf of Masterson in an effort to reduce his potential sentence.
Kutcher and Kunis each wrote a letter expressing their gratitude for Masterson’s friendship, referencing their time together on the set of “That ’70s Show.” Both credited Masterson’s “positive peer pressure” for the fact that they did not get sucked into the Hollywood party lifestyle, saying that he had always been adamant that his friends refrain from abusing drugs.
Kutcher even suggested that Masterson was “among the few people” he would trust to be alone with his own children — and Kunis referred to him as an “exceptional older brother figure.”
The backlash was almost immediate.
“They wrote these letters after he was convicted. They knew what he did and still wrote these words. I will never understand the need for people to defend rapists,” rape survivor Brenda Tracy wrote via X.
They wrote these letters after he was convicted. They knew what he did and still wrote these words.
I will never understand the need for people to defend rapists. https://t.co/QROkLec23U
— Brenda Tracy (@brendatracy24) September 9, 2023
“They had the option to do nothing and they chose to support a convicted double rapist. Kutcher set up an organisation fighting sex abuse. Hollywood hypocrisy at its worst,” British broadcaster Nicola Thorp added.
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Podcast host Kimberley Johnson said, “Rapists don’t rape everybody. They might even be really cool with the people they don’t rape. I’m glad Danny was outed and convicted. He’s a monster. I hope that those who wrote to the judge admit they were duped and wrong. Also, Scientology protects rapists.”
Rapists don't rape everybody. They might even be really cool with the people they don't rape.
I'm glad Danny was outed and convicted. He's a monster.
I hope that those who wrote to the judge admit they were duped and wrong.
Also, Scientology protects rapists. https://t.co/ZEKjWHkXoC
— Kimberley Johnson 🇺🇦 (@AuthorKimberley) September 10, 2023
Kutcher and Kunis eventually posted an apology via Instagram — with the comments turned off — and said they had never intended for their letters to compound anyone’s trauma.
View this post on Instagram
“They were intended for the judge to read, and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or re-traumatize them in any way,” Kutcher said. “We would never want to do that. And we’re sorry if that has taken place.”
Kunis added, “The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling.”