Ashton Kutcher is finally addressing one of Hollywood’s most bizarre controversies — and he wants everyone to know he definitely showers.
Three years after sparking a media firestorm with wife Mila Kunis over their family’s bathing habits, the actor is setting the record straight.
During a recent interview with PEOPLE while promoting his new series The Beauty, Kutcher confronted the lingering questions about his personal hygiene head-on.
And yes, he finds the whole situation just as absurd as everyone else.
What Really Happened on That Podcast
The controversy traces back to a 2021 appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, where Kutcher and Kunis made casual comments about their family’s showering routine that ignited unexpected backlash.
Kunis, who was born in Soviet Union before immigrating to America at age 7, shared her childhood experience with limited resources.
I didn’t have hot water growing up as a child, so I didn’t shower much anyway.
She continued by explaining how those early experiences shaped her parenting approach with their two children, born in 2014 and 2016.
But when I had children, I also didn’t wash them every day…. I wasn’t that parent that bathed my newborns — ever.
Kutcher then added what would become an infamous line that fueled countless headlines and social media debates.
Now, here’s the thing: If you can see the dirt on them, clean them. Otherwise, there’s no point.
Clearing the Air — Literally
Fast forward to 2025, and Kutcher is still fielding questions about whether he actually practices basic hygiene.
The 47-year-old actor addressed his Beauty costars Anthony Ramos and Jeremy Pope during the recent interview, attempting to explain how a throwaway podcast comment spiraled into a full-blown hygiene scandal.
It was the craziest thing of all time. We made a comment at one point, and people were like, ‘Does he stink? Does he smell?’
Kutcher didn’t hold back his frustration with how his words were interpreted and amplified across media platforms.
There was a comment on a podcast, so long ago… and people are like, ‘They don’t shower.’ I’m like, ‘I shower, I go to the gym, I shower.’
Ramos offered his costar some much-needed public validation, laughing as he confirmed what should never have been in question.
I can confirm my boy showers.
Understanding the Context Behind Kunis’s Comments
While Kutcher’s clarification focuses on his own habits, understanding Kunis’s perspective requires acknowledging her unique upbringing.
Growing up without consistent hot water in Soviet Ukraine shaped her relationship with daily bathing — a reality millions of people worldwide still experience today.
Additionally, pediatric experts increasingly support less frequent bathing for newborns and young children, particularly those without visible dirt or odor. Daily baths can strip natural oils from delicate skin, potentially causing dryness and irritation.
What seemed shocking in soundbite form actually aligns with recommendations from many dermatologists and pediatricians for infant care.
More Revelations from The Beauty Press Tour
Shower-gate isn’t Kutcher’s only headline-grabbing moment during recent promotional appearances for his new Hulu series.
The former That ’70s Show star made rare comments about ex-wife Demi Moore, specifically praising her acclaimed performance in 2024’s The Substance.
One, Demi’s performance in The Substance, obviously she got extraordinary accolades. I’m so proud of her, she killed it.
Fans noted interesting parallels between Moore’s Oscar-winning film and Kutcher’s new series — both explore people using mysterious substances pursuing physical perfection.
Kutcher also shared an unusual story about designer Tom Ford allegedly firing him from modeling gig years ago for looking “too fat” in pink Speedo.
When Celebrity Comments Become Internet Fodder
The shower controversy demonstrates how quickly casual celebrity remarks can transform into viral controversies in today’s media landscape.
What Kutcher and Kunis likely considered lighthearted parenting anecdote became weeks of headlines questioning their basic cleanliness.
Three years later, Kutcher still can’t escape questions about his hygiene habits — proof that internet scandals have remarkably long shelf lives, regardless of how trivial they might seem.
The Beauty premieres Wednesday on Hulu and Disney+, where viewers can judge for themselves whether Kutcher appears properly groomed.