Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are undoubtedly one of my favourite celebrity couples, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt. That 70’s Show lives in my heart, and I was always rooting for Jackie and Michael (the starry union’s characters on the show). So, seeing them end up together in our reality was gloriously satisfying.
However, in recent news the comedic royals’ names started doing the rounds in connection to none other than bathing habits. My first reaction was “are people really writing about this?” and then I did some investigating to realise why they were.
Speaking on podcast, the Armchair Expert, Ashton and Mila told the hosts of the show that as parents, they “don’t wash their children” – Wyatt who is six and Dimitri who is four, unless they can “see dirt on them.”
Weird flex, but okay… I pondered.
The internet naturally lost its mind over the comments, and the debate regarding bathing habits was sparked worldwide.
Naturally, as someone who loves to soak in a bath tub after a long day or finds showering daily not only ‘normal’ but wonderful, I too was roped into the conversation as to why one would wait until dirt was apparent.
One user tweeted something that made me chuckle.
I find it shocking that I bathe more than Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis
— Kidbehindacamera (@Lyricoldrap) August 11, 2021
However, reading people’s thoughts brought a few things to my attention, and I quickly realised that this wasn’t a conversation about hygiene alone, but also a privilege.
Mila Kunis actually revealed in the interview that she never showered much as a child because she didn’t have the luxury of hot water.
Water security is one thing, water privilege is another. It’s very easy to quickly jump to conclusions that someone may not be hygienic if they don’t shower on your time. For those who have access to water, bathing habits are personal and I’m not here to draft a ‘Shower Amendment Act’ or anything. But what I did realise is that we are often quick to judge world habits, without realising the culture and economic privileges that come alongside them.
In terms of my heroes Ashton and Mila, it goes without saying that they’re probably pretty set on the water access side of things. Their habits are up to them.
The couple even went on to address their bathing comments and the internet’s reactions in a humorous way of course – because it’s Ashton and Mila Kunis.
“You’re putting water on the children? Are you trying to melt them? Are you trying to injure them with water!” Ashton remarked.
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Anyway, the next time you hop into a bath or shower, your mind may roam beyond your shower dreams and you might just think 1. I’m lucky to have water and 2. Have Ashton and Mila even showered today?
Picture: Instagram/ @aplusk
