'Putting a Performance for the World': Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis Slammed for 'Cringe' and 'Forced' PDA Moment at Backstreet Boys Concert

They came for the nostalgia, but left with more scrutiny than applause. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis' recent concert outing is sparking fresh questions about what's real and what's rehearsed.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis' date night at a Backstreet Boys concert has stirred more backlash than fanfare, after a fan-recorded clip of their public display of affection went viral and was quickly met with waves of criticism online.

The video, posted on Instagram from a fan seated behind the couple at the Sphere in Las Vegas, shows the Hollywood pair dancing, laughing, and goofing off during the boy band's performance.

The original poster captioned the moment, "Ashton Kutcher and the ever-lovely Mila Kunis were behind us at the Backstreet Boys show at the Sphere tonight. They stole the show on this one with a little fun. They were both gracious to the crowd and fans around them."

While the post may have aimed to highlight a sweet celebrity encounter, the comment section told a very different story. Many netizens accused the couple of staging the moment to clean up their public image after months of scrutiny.

"THIS is the best their PR team could come up with?" one commenter questioned. "They're so cringe. I thought they were canceled 😑," another wrote, echoing sentiments that the moment felt disingenuous in light of past controversies involving the couple.

One commenter remarked, "This feels# forced and not natural, read their energy especially Aston’s 😂," criticizing Kutcher’s demeanor. Others referenced their now-infamous character letters in support of Danny Masterson, with one commenter writing, "If only they hadn't written a letter of support for their costar. Not even gonna say his name."

Another piled on, "Putting a performance for the world 🙄." Some compared them unfavorably to other low-key celebrity couples, writing, "They will never be Brenda and Macaulay."

One viewed the display as calculated damage control, "I guess they think they are in the clear & can’t be touch🤔 They living it up while people lives were forever changed [sic]," while another commenter added, “Smoke and mirrors, smoke and mirrors….."

"Bad acting ... seems a bit embarrassing," someone wrote, while another noted, "No one naturally behaves like that, body language is so off."

Still, amid the criticism, a handful of fans came to their defense and expressed fondness for the couple. One fan commented, "Oh man. I haven't watched an Ashton Kutcher movie in so long. A Lot Like Love is one of my faves!!" One supporter added, "They are so cute. I will be doing the same thing. Lol."

"Favorite couple since That '70s Show 😭," wrote another, while someone else gushed, "Prettiest woman in the World 😍." The moment, meant to show off a carefree night out, has instead reopened old wounds and reignited conversations about celebrity image, accountability, and what fans now consider authentic behavior in the public eye.

The backlash comes at a time when Kutcher and Kunis underwent intense public scrutiny, with divorce rumors and resurfaced controversies fueling speculation about the state of their marriage.

In September 2024, Kutcher and Kunis were spotted enjoying solo outings with their children in Los Angeles. This sparked divorce rumors. Kutcher was spotted at a flag football practice with their seven-year-old son, Dimitri, while Kunis spent time with their nine-year-old daughter, Wyatt, at a dance class.

Though both appeared casual and focused on family, the separate appearances raised eyebrows. This was a rare sighting of the usually private couple, and the timing couldn't have been more curious.

With Kutcher caught up in renewed controversy, fans questioned whether their separate outings suggest underlying marital tension. However, the casual nature of these family moments seemed to hint that their focus was on their children, rather than issues in their marriage.

Adding fuel to the fire, a video clip of Kutcher from an earlier interview resurfaced, reigniting controversy. In the video, Kutcher shares a cryptic story about attending one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' famous parties, which he described as "wild" and filled with secrets he couldn't disclose.

Laughing as he recalled the events, Kutcher, at the time, hinted that there were stories he couldn't divulge, a remark that seemed troubling to some, given the serious allegations against Combs. The development led some to speculate whether Kunis distanced herself from Kutcher due to his past connections, adding to the uncertainty about their relationship.

Likewise, in 2019, the couple was also the subject of tabloid reports claiming their marriage was on the rocks. Rather than issuing a formal statement, Kutcher and Kunis took a playful approach to shut down the gossip. The couple posted a humorous video on Instagram, mocking the false claims.

In the video, Kutcher turned to Kunis and asked with a straight face, "Babe, what's happening?" She responded with the tabloid headline, "It's over between us."

They continued to play along, with Kunis joking that she "felt suffocated," and Kutcher responding with mock shock, "Oh, I was so overbearing, wasn't I?" The banter continued, and Kunis teased Kutcher that she had taken the kids. Kutcher, pretending to be dismayed, responded, "I don't get the kids anymore?"

The video ended with the couple laughing, effectively debunking the rumors in a playful and relatable way. This light-hearted approach to dealing with false claims endeared them even more to fans.

As the rumors about Kutcher and Kunis' marriage continued to swirl, social media platforms, particularly X, became hotbeds for public speculation. Some users claimed to have seen posts suggesting that Kunis is moving out of their shared home.

One comment read, "I [saw] on TikTok that Mila Kunis is moving out of Ashton Kutcher and her home, not sure if it's true." Though this is unverified, it has gained traction, spreading further uncertainty.

Other users have quickly connected Kutcher's close ties to Combs in the '90s to the current controversies, wondering if this past association could have played a role in the rumored split.

One comment echoed the thoughts of many, asking, "Did Mila Kunis leave Ashton Kutcher? He was real close with Diddy in the '90s—could that history be catching up with him?" However, not all comments have been sympathetic.

Some speculated that Mila Kunis may have been aware of Kutcher's involvement in past controversies and is now distancing herself only because the public spotlight is growing.

"If Mila Kunis ditched Ashton Kutcher, don't let her off the hook any more than Bijou Phillips with Danny Masterson. She knew everything and only now that the smoke has turned up, she's cutting her losses," one user commented, drawing comparisons to other Hollywood scandals.

While these online reactions reflect growing doubts, there is still no concrete evidence pointing toward a separation. The public's opinions, fueled by hearsay, have only added to the confusion surrounding the couple's relationship status.

What was meant to be a lighthearted date night has only deepened public doubt. For Kutcher and Kunis, the backlash highlights how hard it is to win back trust once the spotlight turns critical.