Courtney Stodden he speaks Seinfeld star Jason AlexanderThe decision to donate money to Unchained At Last – a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the legal practice of child marriage in the United States – as part of an apology for his role in the 2012 comic strip.
“I was grateful to read that Jason Alexander sent a beautiful gift to Unchained At Last. I want to sincerely thank you for choosing to turn words into action,” Stodden, 31, wrote on Instagram on Friday, July 24, alongside a photo of the model-turned-lawyer. “Accountability is not about public punishment – it's about taking meaningful action that can help create change.”
She continued, “My hope has always been bigger than my story. If difficult conversations can lead to real support for organizations that protect children and end child marriage, then something good can come out of something so painful.”
Stodden made headlines after shouting Funny or Die alum, 66, for a comic strip depicting him as a child. In the sketch, which aired on daytime television, Alexander used a cell phone to “check the quality” of Stodden's heart by rubbing the wire against her breasts.
“I was 17 in this picture,” he wrote alongside a screenshot from the skit. “As I get older, that's where the mystery comes in. During this sketch, Jason Alexander kept rubbing his phone against my breasts over and over again while saying 'no signal' in my head but 'lots of signal' in my chest. Later in the sketch, he joked that when I turned 18 he'd like to take me behind the couch and 'walk' with me.”
He continued at the time, “As an adult, that reality has been difficult – not easy – for me to understand. I was young. I had no legal power to decide if I wanted to participate. Agreements were signed by adults.”
Alexander publicly apologized to Stodden, who has become a fierce advocate against legalizing child marriage in the United States after he married young children. Doug Hutchinsonwho was 50 when he married 16-year-old Stodden in 2011. (The two eventually divorced in 2017.) Although many Americans believe that child marriage is an international issue, 33 states currently allow children under the age of 18 to marry, while 17 have banned the practice.
“Looking back at the comedy that Ms. Stodden and I participated in in 2012, I completely agree that it was inappropriate and I am truly sorry,” the actor said in a statement. Us. But more importantly, I am deeply sorry for any harm or distress I have caused Ms. Stodden. I sincerely apologize to him.”
On Friday, Stodden told his Instagram followers that he hopes Alexander's apology and subsequent donation will be a “standard” where people are asked to reflect on their past actions.
“When harm is acknowledged, rational action has the potential to help others,” he added. “That's how real change begins. If Jason's actions have inspired you, I hope you'll consider making a donation to Unchained At Last. We're working to end child marriage and protect vulnerable children across the United States. Don't just witness accountability – be a part of it. Every donation helps protect the next child.”
If you know of a young person being bullied or a victim of crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left
