Ashton Kutcher resigns as chair of anti-child abuse group after Masterson letter
Kutcher stepped down alongside his wife, Mila Kunis, following backlash
Actor Ashton Kutcher announced Friday that he was stepping down as chairman of the board of his self-founded anti-child abuse organization. The move comes following widespread criticism of his support for convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
Kutcher said he was resigning immediately from the board of Thorn, which he co-founded in 2012 as an "engineering and data science team focused solely on developing new technologies to combat online child sexual abuse." Kutcher's wife, actor Mila Kunis, also announced that she was stepping down from her role as an observer on Thorn's board.
In a statement, Kutcher offered "my heartfelt apology to all victims of sexual violence and everyone at Thorn who I hurt by what I did." The actor added that he had "worked for 15 years to fight for people who are sexually exploited," but that he "cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Both Kutcher and Kunis have faced backlash from Hollywood and beyond for their prior support of Masterson, who was recently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of raping two women. Kutcher and Kunis, who co-starred alongside Masterson on "That 70's Show," sent character reference letters to the judge during Masterson's trial. In the letters, copies of which were obtained by journalist Meghann Cuniff, Kutcher described Masterson as "an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being" who was "among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter." Kunis wrote that Masterson "displayed a profound sense of responsibility and care for those around him."
Following Masterson's conviction, Kutcher and Kunis were lambasted on social media for supporting him. The pair released a video on Instagram apologizing for their letters, though one of Masterson's victims described the video as "incredibly insulting and hurtful," according to journalist Yashar Ali.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Incendiary device plot: Russia's 'rehearsals' for attacks on transatlantic flights
The Explainer Security officials warn of widespread Moscow-backed 'sabotage campaign' in retaliation for continued Western support for Ukraine
By The Week UK Published
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Monsters: why is the Menendez brothers Netflix hit so controversial?
Talking Points Ryan Murphy’s latest true-crime series recounts infamous 1989 Beverly Hills murders, but some critics say his retelling takes too many liberties with the truth
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter, is dead at 88
Speed Read The musician wrote hit songs for Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash before starring in Hollywood movies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
10 concert tours to see this fall
The Week Recommends Rake in the changing of the leaves with a series of autumn shows
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trigger warnings on screen spark dissent
Talking Point Are they a measure of sensitivity or just unnecessary posturing?
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
10 upcoming albums to stream in sweater weather
The Week Recommends As summer turns to fall, check out these new albums from Fleetwood Mac, Katy Perry, Kim Deal and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 unmissable museum exhibitions to see this fall
The Week Recommends Elizabeth Catlett, Tamara de Lempicka and Marina Abramovic are in the spotlight
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Code-switching: the origins, purpose and pitfalls
The Explainer Balancing your identity and respectability politics sometimes means taking on a different tone or behavior to fit in
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
The Hollyoaks time jump and the future of British soaps
In the Spotlight Loss of nearly a third of cast and crew on Channel 4 show shows how beleaguered TV industry needs to 'reinvent' itself
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published