Ashton Kutcher rose to early stardom following his role in That 70’s Show. But the road to fame was paved by something bordering on imposter syndrome as the actor felt like he was not deserving of the good fortune that landed him in Hollywood. Years later, the No Strings Attached actor sits with his twin, Michael Kutcher in an open and candid interview where the brothers now talk about the years that defined their relationship, both together and apart, and were definitive in the formative years of their lives.
Ashton Kutcher Reveals a Strained Bond With Twin Brother
Most actors and industry personalities have been vocal about their struggle with fame and global stardom. But Ashton Kutcher‘s problematic relationship with the spotlight invokes a deeper and much more familial connection than the haunting flashes of the paparazzi. Since their birth, Ashton and Michael Kutcher have shared the same roof, the same upbringing, and the same education. But while Ashton Kutcher found fame in Hollywood, his twin struggled with cerebral palsy since birth.
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It was then obvious that it was a burden for Ashton Kutcher to find himself the subject of fame and success that comes to rare few in the industry who have such a selective resume to boast of. The guilt that defined the primary decade of his life could not overcome the success that he felt was unjust and undeserving for someone in his position.
Michael Kutcher, in the meantime, had been struggling with more than just cerebral palsy and his more famous twin was miles away from realizing that pity was not what the other needed. So, when asked point-blank what drove the two brothers apart, Michael Kutcher replied without hesitation, “Jealousy.”
Ashton and Michael Kutcher Address Their Relationship
In an appearance for the upcoming Paramount+ show, The Checkup With Dr. David Agus, the twins sit for a tell-all chat to talk about the difficult and harsh ideologies that defined their years together and how a person afflicted with cerebral palsy easily becomes the source of guilt for their immediate family even when that’s the last thing they need from the people close to them. Ashton Kutcher recalls in the interview,
“I’m like, ‘How do I get to be this lucky? And for my brother to have been born with cerebral palsy, then have a heart transplant, and then have this random blood clot.’ These things that you’re just like, ‘Who has to go through that? How did I get to be this lucky?’
And there was a moment in all of this where I moved to New York and was starting to get some traction with my career. And Mike came out to visit and stay and he looked at me, and he said, “Everytime you feel sorry for me, you make me less. This is the only life I have ever known, so stop feeling sorry for the only thing I have.” And that then created an entire shift back to where I think we are today, which is straight up equals again. That’s it.”
Ashton and Michael Kutcher in the David Agus interview
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18 years ago, Ashton Kutcher publicly revealed his brother’s diagnosis and his twin resented him for it. However, now in hindsight, the latter reveals, “Chris [Ashton Kutcher’s real name] did me the biggest favor he’s ever done because he allowed me to be myself.” Recalling the early years of their life, he said how the Punk’d creator had stood up against those who had bullied him and revealed, “My brother picked a fight with them. He stood up for me. He wanted them to treat me with respect. And that meant a lot… Chris would tell me, ‘I wish I could take all of this off of you, and take it myself.'”
During the interview, Michael Kutcher was silently nodding away to his twin’s recollection of the years that proved to bring that shift in their dynamic. He was not afraid of voicing out loud that he was jealous of his brother’s success and it eventually led to the envy that had clawed into their relationship and was responsible for driving them apart.
Source: Entertainment Tonight
