Laura Prepon's 'Complex Relationship' With Danny Masterson Is Likely Why She's Remained Silent After Rape Conviction

Danny Masterson’s 30-year sentencing for rape has had fans circling the That ’70s Show cast looking for responses. While cast members, including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, wrote character letters for their former co-star, and other actors, like Topher Grace, showed support for the sexual assault survivors. But there’s one voice that is missing in this equation, and it’s Laura Prepon, who played the iconic role of Donna in the Fox series.

Fans might be scratching their heads as to why the 43-year-old actress hasn’t said a word, it’s important to remember that she had a much more “complex relationship” with Danny because she dated his brother, Christopher Masterson, for eight years. Even after she and Christopher broke up in 2007, she remained friends with Danny and continued to stay involved in the Church of Scientology until her departure from the religion in 2016.

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She kept her exit from the controversial religion a secret until 2021 when she revealed to People that she hadn’t “practiced Scientology in close to five years.” She credited becoming a mother for helping to change her views. “If motherhood has taught me anything so far, it’s that something can work out for a period of time and then you move on and evolve from that,” she explained.

Prepon left the Church of Scientology shortly before the Los Angeles Police Department began investigating three sexual assault allegations, but her silence about Danny’s crimes has irked anti-Scientology crusader Leah Remini over the years. “I reached out to her and, like I just said, not everybody who has a voice uses it,” she explained to Daily Blast Live. “Some people, like Laura, feel that they don’t have a responsibility to speak out. Do I respect it? I mean, not really.”

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The Orange Is the New Black star largely stays out of the spotlight now, so her response to Danny’s conviction will likely remain a mystery. She still has plenty to unpack from her exit from the Church of Scientology, and now, Prepon must reconcile that a friend she knew for decades had a very dark side.

Click here to see celebrities who have been accused of sexual assault.

Launch Gallery: 27 Celebrities Who Have Bravely Opened Up About Being Sexually Assaulted

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