The affair shook Hollywood. On September 7, “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson was sentenced to thirty years in prison. The interpreter of Steven Hyde was accused of rape by three women, aged 23 to 28. The events took place between 2001 and 2003, at the home of Danny Masterson, in Hollywood Hills. According to the victims’ statements, the actor first drugged them, before sexually abusing them. He then used his status as a member of the Church of Scientology to put pressure on the young women, preventing them from filing complaints.
Read also: Behind the scenes of the investigation behind the #MeToo revolution
It was in 2017 that victims broke the silence, with the #MeToo movement. But in the summer of 2020, Danny Masterson was indicted by the Los Angeles prosecutor, before finally being released on bail ($3.3 million). At that time, the actor began filming a new Netflix series, alongside his longtime friend, Ashton Kutcher. However, shortly after the revelations, the actor was removed from the project. In 2022, a trial opened but the jury could not reach an agreement, so it was canceled.
Finally, Danny Masterson was retried last May and found guilty of two of the three rapes of which he was accused. During his trial, the actor was able to count on the support of his family and close friends. Among them, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, with whom he filmed the cult series “That ’70s Show”. A few weeks ago, “People” magazine revealed that the couple had sent a letter to the judge in charge of the case, in order to defend their colleague’s cause. They describe an “extraordinary man” and “a model”. “I do not believe that he is a permanent danger to society and the fact that his daughter is raised without a father by her side would be an injustice in itself,” we can read. For her part, Mila Kunis questioned the fact that Danny Masterson could have drugged his victims: “One of the most remarkable aspects of Danny’s personality is his unwavering commitment to discouraging drug use. The influence he had on me in this regard is inestimable,” she writes.
Read also: Legendary couple: Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, from friendship to love
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis in turmoil
An act which did not pass and which caused controversy on social networks and in the press. The couple had to explain themselves in a video, published on Ashton Kutcher’s Instagram account. “A few months ago, Danny’s family contacted us and asked us to write letters representing the person we had known for twenty-five years, so that the judge could take it fully into account when determining the sentence,” the actor began, before continuing: “These letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the justice system or the validity of the jury’s decision. They were intended to be read by the judge and not to weaken the victims’ testimony or retraumatize them. » Mila Kunis also added a few words: “Our thoughts go out to every person who has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape. »
Despite these public apologies, the couple is far from having restored their image. Ashton Kutcher recently had to make the decision to leave his position as president of the “Thorn” association. The organization was created in 2009 by the actor and his former partner, Demi Moore. Its aim is to combat child sexual abuse. The actor once again apologizes in the letter: “The mission must always be the priority and I want to offer my most sincere apologies to all victims of sexual violence and to all those I may have hurt at Thorn by my gesture. To the entire community of victims’ rights advocates, I want to say that I am deeply sorry,” reports Time. Mila Kunis, observer on the association’s board of directors, also submitted her resignation on September 15. Since then, the couple has not spoken out about the scandal.