Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis criticized for posting 'lawyered' apology following Danny Masterson support
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / aplusk / LUCY NICHOLSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis' apology video isn't going down well with many people online.
The famous couple apologized on Saturday after their letter of support for Danny Masterson was made public.
Masterson, who worked with them on That '70s Show, was found guilty of raping two women and was senteced to 30 years in prison.
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Ahead of his sentencing, Kunis and Kutcher wrote character references for their disgraced former co-star.
Kutcher and Kunis' letter, in which they described the actor as having 'an innate goodness', was leaked and sparked a backlash.
In a video released to Kutcher's Instagram, they reiterated their support for victims of sexual assault.
The Two and a Half Men star said: "A couple months ago Danny’s family reached out to us and they asked us to write character letters to represent the person that we knew for 25 years, so that the judge could take that into full consideration relative to the sentencing."
His wife, best known as the voice of Meg on Family Guy, said: "The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling."
This apology doesn't appear to have gone down all too well on social media however.
Whilst the comments were disabled for the Instagram post, people made their opinions known elsewhere.
On X, people slammed the apology as 'lawyered' and expressed their disappointment with the couple.
One person fumed: "Hard f***ing pass on you two. How the mighty have fallen."
Another wrote: "I'm not a fan of cancel culture, but I make an exception for you two."
Whilst one former fan likened the apology clip to a 'hostage video', another challenged them: "Wtf is wrong with you? You have children."
Journalist Yashar Ali wrote: "It’s important to note that the letters weren’t just character letters you’d write for a friend.
"The letters, which contained a great deal of Scientological phrasing, were intended to undermine the victims who were drugged by Danny."
For clarity, Kutcher and Kunis have not identified themselves as members of the Church of Scientology.
However, Masterson has been an adherent to the religion for a number of years.
Kutcher and Kunis weren't the only famous faces to pen letters for the controversial sitcom star.
Masterson had also received letters of support from Giovanni Ribisi, William Baldwin, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, among others.
Masterson was best known for his role as Steven Hyde on That '70s Show, which ran from 1998 to 2006.