Ashton Kutcher Digs Himself In Deeper With Cryptic Texts To Fans Amid Danny Masterson Controversy: “I Chose Love”

By Samantha Nungesser @samjnungesser
Published Sep. 13, 2023, 3:25 p.m. ET

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Ashton Kutcher is choosing “love,” despite the backlash he’s facing for writing a letter in support of his former That ’70s Show co-star Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for drugging and raping two women in the early 2000s.

Social media users who signed up for Kutcher’s mailing list — which was set up in January 2019 — revealed a set of cryptic texts from the actor following his recent controversies. While fans can sign up to be a part of the texting chain, they are not able to respond directly to Kutcher.

In his first message since July 28, Kutcher wrote, “A friend said something to me today: We have one heart we can fill in with hatred or love. I chose love.” Not long after, he sent a follow-up message that reiterated, “I chose love.”

Following the texts, many subscribers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam the actor’s timing.

“I forgot I was on Ashton Kutcher’s text newsletter. It’s so over for him,” one wrote, while another added, “The absolute audacity of Ashton Kutcher sending this text out…”

A third person said, “Anyone else subscribed to [Kutcher]’s text messages? I assume this is in response to the backlash. I forgot that I was subscribed to him lmao. What the hell is this?” before someone else posted, “You know that weird service where you can ‘text’ celebrities? I inexplicably receive them from Ashton Kutcher so I usually just reply asking for money. But today he’s on some ‘I choose love’ rant.”

Decider has reached out to reps for Kutcher for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis were part of the more than 50 people who wrote letters to the judge in Masterson’s case asking for leniency in his sentencing. In his letter, Kutcher said he doesn’t believe Masterson is an “ongoing harm to society,” while Kunis said she could “wholeheartedly vouch” for his “exceptional character and tremendous positive influence.”

Following public backlash, the married couple uploaded an apology video to Instagram, where they insisted that they “support victims.” According to the pair, they never intended to “undermine the testimony of the victims or re-traumatize them in any way.”

Still, Kutcher has remained in the news as a series of old clips resurfaced — including one where he admits to making a bet with Masterson over whether he’d use tongue on a then-14-year-old Kunis for their first onscreen kiss in That ’70s Show. Plus, a 2003 Punk’d episode shows the No Strings Attached actor, then 25, making inappropriate comments about Hilary Duff and the Olsen twins, all of whom were minors at the time.

“Hilary Duff is in Lizzie McGuire. She also has an album out. She’s going to be in a movie called Cheaper By The Dozen. And she’s one of the girls that we’re all waiting for to turn 18,” he said in the resurfaced video. “Along with the Olsen Twins.”

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.