Celebs Who Publicly Backed Accused Friends Despite Evidence

The entertainment industry is often described as a tight-knit community where professional relationships frequently turn into lifelong friendships. This loyalty is tested when public figures face serious criminal accusations or convictions that are supported by substantial evidence. While many stars choose to distance themselves from controversy, some celebrities decide to publicly defend their friends and colleagues. The following individuals voiced support for accused figures through letters, social media posts, or interviews despite the allegations against them.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher wrote a character letter to the judge before the sentencing of his former co-star Danny Masterson. He described the convicted actor as a role model who steered him away from drugs during their time on ‘That ’70s Show’. Kutcher emphasized that Masterson was always an honest and intentional human being throughout their long friendship. The letter requested leniency for Masterson despite his conviction on two counts of rape.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis submitted a letter of support for Danny Masterson alongside her husband Ashton Kutcher. She vouched for the exceptional character of her former castmate and referred to him as an outstanding older brother figure. Kunis credited Masterson with having a tremendous positive influence on her life and personal growth. Her statement was intended to influence the judge to provide a lighter sentence for the actor after he was found guilty.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan took to social media to express her sympathy for Harvey Weinstein as allegations against him mounted. She stated in an Instagram video that she felt very bad for the producer and did not think the situation was right. The actress also criticized Weinstein’s wife for leaving him during the scandal. Lohan claimed that Weinstein had never harmed her during their professional relationship and urged everyone to stop attacking him.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin defended Woody Allen on Twitter against renewed accusations of sexual abuse. He stated that it was unfair to persecute the director based on allegations that had been investigated years prior. Baldwin argued that working with Allen was a privilege and dismissed the backlash against the filmmaker. He continued to support Allen publicly even as other actors expressed regret for working with him.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton utilized Twitter to declare her unwavering friendship and belief in Woody Allen. She shared a link to a ’60 Minutes’ interview from 1992 where Allen denied the allegations made by his adopted daughter. The actress stated that she continued to believe her friend and encouraged others to watch the interview. Her public defense came at a time when many in Hollywood were distancing themselves from the director.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson stated in an interview that she loved Woody Allen and believed his denial of the abuse allegations. She mentioned that she had direct conversations with the director about the claims and was convinced of his innocence. Johansson faced criticism for her comments but maintained that she would work with him again anytime. She stood firm in her support despite the shifting public opinion regarding the filmmaker.

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland defended Chris Brown when the audience booed him at the American Music Awards. She accepted an award on his behalf and told the crowd to chill out while asserting that everyone deserves grace. Rowland later doubled down on her comments by stating that forgiveness is important for everyone. Her defense occurred years after Brown had pleaded guilty to felony assault.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber posted an image on Instagram comparing Chris Brown to Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur. He captioned the post with a message stating that people were overlooking Brown’s talent because of a mistake he made. The singer urged his followers to reevaluate their stance on Brown and expressed his love for the artist. This public display of support ignored the singer’s history of legal issues and violence.

Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks spoke out in defense of Chris Brown during the controversy surrounding his presence at award shows. She stated that the singer should be allowed to grow and live his life without his past hanging over him. Sparks emphasized that his massive talent should be the focus rather than his previous actions. She argued that everybody deserves the chance to move forward.

Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea wrote a letter to the judge presiding over the sentencing of Tory Lanez. She asked for a sentence that would be transformational rather than life-destroying for the rapper. Azalea claimed she had never witnessed the violent temper he was accused of and praised his character. Her letter was revealed after Lanez was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.

Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham issued a statement defending ‘Girls’ writer Murray Miller after he was accused of sexual assault. She claimed to have insider knowledge that proved the allegations were part of the small percentage of false reports. Dunham and her production partner initially stood by Miller and dismissed the accuser’s story. She later apologized to the victim for her reaction and for lying about having inside information.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg sparked controversy on ‘The View’ when she defended Roman Polanski against rape charges. She argued that the director’s crime was not “rape-rape” in an attempt to distinguish between statutory rape and other forms of assault. Goldberg also questioned the validity of the allegations against Bill Cosby before eventually changing her stance. Her comments regarding Polanski drew widespread criticism for minimizing the severity of his conviction.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep joined over one hundred other film industry figures in signing a petition supporting Roman Polanski. The document demanded the release of the director after his arrest in Switzerland for a decades-old sexual assault case. Streep and her peers argued that the arrest undermined the tradition of film festivals as neutral grounds. The petition was a significant show of support for a fugitive who had fled the United States.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford was among the high-profile actors who signed the petition demanding the release of Roman Polanski. He lent his name to the document that criticized the Swiss authorities for arresting the director. Ford joined a long list of Hollywood elite who believed the arrest was unjust despite the underlying conviction. The support from such a major star highlighted the divide between Hollywood and the public on the issue.

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese publicly supported Roman Polanski by signing the petition that called for his immediate release from Swiss custody. The legendary director joined other filmmakers in arguing that the arrest was an attack on cultural events. Scorsese has continued to speak highly of Polanski’s artistic contributions over the years. His support focused on the director’s status within the film community rather than the legal charges.

David Lynch

David Lynch has been a vocal supporter of Roman Polanski and signed the petition advocating for his release. He expressed sympathy for the director and focused on his artistic genius rather than his criminal record. Lynch has dismissed the severity of the charges in various interviews. He maintains that the focus should remain on the work rather than the personal life of the artist.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman signed the petition supporting Roman Polanski after his 2009 arrest in Switzerland. She joined other industry professionals in expressing dismay at the way the director was apprehended. Portman later expressed deep regret for signing the document and apologized for not thinking it through. She admitted that she had signed it because someone she respected asked her to do so.

Giovanni Ribisi

Giovanni Ribisi wrote a character letter for Danny Masterson that was submitted to the court before sentencing. He described Masterson as a good father and a dedicated friend within their community. Ribisi focused on the positive interactions he had with the actor over the years. The letter was part of a coordinated effort by Masterson’s friends to reduce his prison time.

Kurtwood Smith

Kurtwood Smith supported his former co-star Danny Masterson by writing a letter to the judge. He stated that Masterson was a respectful colleague who treated everyone on set with decency. Smith emphasized that the actor was a good man who he had known for many years. The letter aimed to highlight Masterson’s professional behavior despite the criminal conviction.

Debra Jo Rupp

Debra Jo Rupp penned a letter to the court vouching for the character of Danny Masterson. She recalled his kindness during their time working together on ‘That ’70s Show’. Rupp described him as a leader among the cast who always looked out for others. Her statement was intended to provide the judge with a different perspective on the convicted actor.

Bijou Phillips

Bijou Phillips stood by her husband Danny Masterson throughout his trial and wrote a letter pleading for leniency. She described him as a life-saving partner and an extraordinary father to their daughter. Phillips claimed that he was a man who deeply regretted his mistakes but did not admit to the crimes he was convicted of. She eventually filed for divorce shortly after he received his thirty-year sentence.

William Baldwin

William Baldwin submitted a letter of support for Danny Masterson to the sentencing judge. He praised the actor for his work ethic and his devotion to his family and friends. Baldwin highlighted the charitable work Masterson had done and his positive impact on the community. The letter asked the court to consider these factors when determining the prison term.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem publicly defended Woody Allen and stated that he was shocked by the sudden treatment of the director. He noted that the legal system in two states had cleared Allen of the charges years ago. Bardem argued that the public judgment was unfair given the legal outcomes. He expressed his willingness to work with the director again in the future.

Gina Gershon

Gina Gershon defended working with Woody Allen and described him as an innocent man. She stated in an interview that she believed it was an injustice that the allegations were still being discussed. Gershon praised the experience of filming with him and dismissed the controversy. She argued that great artists should not be prevented from working based on unproven accusations.

Wallace Shawn

Wallace Shawn wrote an op-ed defending Woody Allen against the sexual abuse allegations made by Dylan Farrow. He argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove the director’s guilt. Shawn stated that he respected Allen and believed he was being unfairly targeted. The actor continued to appear in Allen’s films and speak out on his behalf.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson publicly supported R. Kelly in an interview by calling him the king of R&B despite the abuse allegations. He suggested that the public should separate the music from the man’s personal life. Gibson faced backlash for his comments and later tried to clarify his position. His initial praise came at a time when many were distancing themselves from the singer.

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu offered words of support to R. Kelly during an awards show performance. She stated that she loved him and was willing to do so even if others would not. Badu argued that he needed prayer and help rather than condemnation. Her comments were met with criticism from those who felt she was enabling an abuser.

Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills defended R. Kelly and compared his treatment to a public lynching. She questioned why other artists with questionable pasts were not treated with the same severity. Mills stated that she looked at him like a little brother and would continue to support him. She argued that the music industry was hypocritical in its handling of the situation.

Faizon Love

Faizon Love aggressively defended Bill Cosby and attacked those who believed the allegations against him. He used offensive language on social media to insult anyone who thought the comedian was guilty. Love claimed that the accusations were part of a conspiracy to bring down a powerful black man. He remained one of Cosby’s most vocal and combative supporters.

Damon Wayans

Damon Wayans made controversial comments regarding the Bill Cosby accusers during a radio interview. He dismissed the women’s claims and referred to them in derogatory terms. Wayans suggested that the sheer number of years that had passed made the allegations suspicious. He later claimed his words were misinterpreted but the interview drew significant backlash.

Ye

Kanye West tweeted that Bill Cosby was innocent during the height of the sexual assault scandal. He also collaborated with Marilyn Manson and brought him out at a listening party after Manson faced abuse allegations. West has repeatedly aligned himself with accused figures as a form of counter-cultural statement. His support often ignores the specific evidence or convictions associated with these individuals.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. asked Hollywood to forgive Mel Gibson during an awards ceremony speech. He acknowledged Gibson’s flaws but urged the industry to allow him to work again. Downey credited Gibson with helping him during his own difficult times and wanted to return the favor. The plea helped pave the way for Gibson’s eventual return to directing.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster remained a close friend and supporter of Mel Gibson after his domestic violence scandal. She cast him in her film ‘The Beaver’ when other studios refused to work with him. Foster stated that while he was not a saint, he was a good friend who was suffering. She stood by him publicly and focused on his complexity as a human being.

Please share your thoughts on these celebrity reactions in the comments.