Amid a storm of public controversy, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis made the difficult decision to step down from their roles at Thorn, the global anti-trafficking organization they founded with Ashton’s ex-wife Demi Moore in 2009. characters they wrote for their friend Danny Masterson, who was recently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for a 2003 s*xual assault charge.
In a heartfelt letter to Thorne’s board dated September 14, Kutcher expressed deep regret for their actions and the impact it has had on s*xual assault survivors and the general public. He acknowledged that public mood can change quickly, especially when it comes to an issue as sensitive as s*xual assault. Kutcher, along with Kunis, believed that resigning their positions at Thorne was the right course of action after careful consideration and discussions with the survivors.
While acknowledging the seriousness of his behavior, Kutcher insisted that Thorne’s intent to protect children from s*xual exploitation should not be diminished by his poor decision-making. Despite his resignation, he pledged to continue to support the goals of the organization.
– “One error in judgment can cast a long shadow over years of good work.”
Public Apology and Online Consequences
Ashton Kutcher has resigned as chairman of the board of Thorn, the anti-child-sex-abuse organization he co-founded in 2009, following backlash over the support letter he wrote for Danny Masterson. pic.twitter.com/BhxvX6gynt
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 15, 2023
The character letters, which included letters from Kutcher and Kunis, were released after Masterson’s sentencing and garnered much attention. Kutcher expressed his sincere regret to anyone who was s*xually abused, as well as anyone else who was hurt or offended by their early support of Masterson. However, the second video apology seemed to make the problem worse rather than better.
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A flood of rebuke
The anger in recent days has gone beyond this particular incident. Sharon Osbourne echoed her sentiments in 2018, calling Kutcher the “grossest” star she’s ever met in an interview with E! News.
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Litigation related to the animated series
Sharon Osbourne says Ashton Kutcher is the “rudest celebrity” she has met:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 8, 2023
“Oh, rude, rude, rude. Rude little boy… Dastardly little thing.” pic.twitter.com/rUESVLzKzW
In addition to the Thorne-related controversy, the couple has faced legal issues surrounding their animated series “Stoner Cats.” The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fined them $1 million for misleading investors by selling more than 10,000 NFTs. The fallout from these controversies was significant and cast a shadow over their public image.
Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis’ animated series ‘Stoner Cats’ fined $1M by the SEC https://t.co/SJuzWsiVDN pic.twitter.com/h3wqH44yfp
— New York Post (@nypost) September 14, 2023
However, it is essential to acknowledge the substantial positive impact that Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have had through Thorne. For almost 15 years, the organization has been using technology to protect children from s*xual assault. In 2017, Kutcher testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and shared harrowing stories about the work he undertook with Thorne. Just the year before last, he raised over $1 million for the organization when he ran the New York City Marathon.
The controversies that surrounded the couple may cloud the present, but it is crucial to consider the lasting impact of their good deeds. Their determination to atone for their mistakes underscores how challenging it can be for public officials to navigate the complex terrain of accountability, balancing past mistakes with a sincere effort to make amends. While their actions sparked public outrage, their commitment to protecting children from exploitation remains an integral part of their legacy, albeit a complex and contested one.