Current:Home > ScamsAshton Kutcher faces backlash for clips discussing underage Hilary Duff, Olsen twins, Mila Kunis -RiskWatch
Ashton Kutcher faces backlash for clips discussing underage Hilary Duff, Olsen twins, Mila Kunis
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:40:35
A resurfaced clip of Ashton Kutcher discussing Hilary Duff and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen from his "Punk'd" days is sparking backlash in the aftermath of Kutcher and wife Mila Kunis apologizing for writing letters of support for former "That '70s Show" co-star Danny Masterson.
"She's one of the girls that we're all waiting to turn 18," Kutcher said of Duff in a "Punk'd" episode that aired in October 2003, just after Duff had turned 16.
"Along with the Olsen twins," Kutcher added of the child stars, who were both 17 at the time.
A judge sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life Thursday for the rape of two women. In a character letter dated July 27, 2023, Kutcher described Masterson as a man who treated people "with decency, equality, and generosity," he wrote; Kunis' letter called Masterson "an outstanding role model and friend" and an "exceptional older brother figure." Both asked the judge for leniency in Masterson's sentencing.
On Saturday, Kutcher and Kunis posted a video to Instagram apologizing for causing any pain or trauma for the character letters they wrote for Masterson after his conviction in May.
Kutcher is facing new backlash on social media for the "Punk'd" footage, which was reportedly shared in an Instagram story on Saturday by Chrissie Carnell Bixler, one of Masterson's accusers and an ex-girlfriend. She also called out Kutcher in a separate story: "In my opinion, you're just as sick as your 'mentor.'"
USA TODAY has reached out for additional comment from Kutcher's representatives.
'We support victims':Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis address 'pain' caused by Danny Masterson letters
Ashton Kutcher talks about kissing Mila Kunis when she was a '14-year-old little girl' in resurfaced interview
Another vintage clip that made the rounds over the weekend was from a 2002 episode of Rosie O'Donnell's talk show where Kutcher and Kunis joke around about Kutcher's bet in 1998 with Masterson to "French kiss" Kunis on the set of "That '70s Show" when Kutcher was 19 and Kunis 14. (They married in 2015.)
Their characters were a couple on the sitcom and in the O'Donnell clip, the two actors talk about filming a makeout scene early on in the first season: Kutcher remembers thinking, "Wait, this is slightly illegal, right?" and Kunis admits that it was her first kiss. "Ashton's attractive and I was a 14-year-old little girl and I was extremely scared for my life," she quips. Then she reveals that Masterson told him, "I'll give you $10 if you French kiss her." Kutcher claims he did it but Kunis says, "I didn't let him. I think he tried. … He never got his tongue in my mouth."
One user on X, formerly Twitter, who shared the clip called the bet "literally so disgusting" while another wrote, "Producers should have been arrested."
Christina Ricci tells her fans to 'believe victims,' 'awesome guys' can also be abusers
Shortly after Kutcher and Kunis' video Saturday, Christina Ricci wrote that "sometimes people we have loved and admired do horrible things" to her Instagram story. "They might not do these things to us and we only know who they were to us but that doesn't mean they didn't do horrible things and to discredit the abused is a crime.
"People we know as 'awesome guys' can be predators and abusers. It's tough to accept but we have to. If we say we support victims — women, children, men, boys — then we must be able to take this stance."
Ricci continued in a second story that she's known "lots of 'awesome guys' who were lovely to me who have been proven to be abusers privately" and admitted that "I've also had personal experience with this.
"Believe victims. It's not easy to come forward. It's not easy to get a conviction."
Contributing: Kim Willis, Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Charcuterie meat sold at Sam's Club recalled due to possible salmonella contamination
- Why Jim Harbaugh should spurn the NFL, stay at Michigan and fight to get players paid
- 11-year-old killed in Iowa school shooting remembered as a joyful boy who loved soccer and singing
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Some Verizon customers can claim part of $100 million settlement. Here's how.
- Nigel Lythgoe is leaving Fox's 'So You Think You Can Dance' amid sexual assault lawsuits
- Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Jaguars QB active for Week 18 game vs. Titans
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Florida can import prescription drugs from Canada, US regulators say
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Mexico authorities rescue 32 migrants, including 9 kids, abducted on way to U.S. border
- NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: Four division titles still to be won
- Islamic State group claims responsibility for a minibus explosion in Afghan capital that killed 2
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Run to Coach Outlet's 70% Off Clearance Sale for $53 Wallets, $68 Crossbodies & More
- Texas Tech says Pop Isaacs 'remains in good standing' despite lawsuit alleging sexual assault
- Protesters calling for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war block traffic in Seattle
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Fact checking Netflix's 'Society of the Snow' plane disaster with director J.A. Bayona
Rafael Nadal withdraws from Australian Open with injury just one tournament into comeback
DeSantis’ State of the State address might be as much for Iowa voters as it is for Floridians
The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
Judge blocks Trump lawyers from arguing about columnist’s rape claim at upcoming defamation trial
Glynis Johns, known for her role as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, dead at 100
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows harsh response to deadly bomb attack