Courtney Stodden has thanked Jason Alexander for donating an apology after calling him out for an “inappropriate” comedy sketch in 2012.
“I was so grateful to learn that Jason Alexander sent a beautiful gift to Unchained at Last,” Stodden wrote on Instagram Friday alongside a photo of herself, referring to the nonprofit organization whose goal is to “end forced and child marriage in America.”
“Accountability is not about public punishment; it’s about taking meaningful steps to help create change,” she said.
“My hopes were always bigger than my own story,” Stodden continued in the lengthy caption. “If difficult conversations lead to real support for organizations that protect children and end child marriage, then something positive can come out of deep pain.”
Representatives for Mr. Alexander contacted Page Six for comment on Saturday, but did not immediately respond.
Stodden, who was just 16 when she married then-51-year-old actor Doug Hutchinson in 2011, wrote that she hoped the “Seinfeld” star’s apologies and donations would “become the norm.”
“When harm is acknowledged, meaningful action has the power to help others. That’s when real change begins,” she wrote.
“If you’ve been inspired by Jason’s actions, please consider donating to Unchained At Last,” she concluded. “We are working to end child marriage and protect vulnerable children across America. Don’t just witness our responsibility, join us. Every donation helps protect the next child.”
She was 17 and Alexander, now 66, was 52 after Stodden accused the iconic comedian of rubbing her breasts with a cell phone during a 2012 “Funny or Die” skit.
The “Shallow Hal” star donated $15,000 to the nonprofit, TMZ reported Thursday.
Alexander also apologized, telling Page Six, “Looking back at the comedy skit that Mr. Stodden and I participated in in 2012, I completely agree that it was inappropriate and I truly regret it.”
“But more importantly, I am deeply sorry for the harm and distress I have caused Ms. Stodden,” he continued. “I sincerely apologize to her.”
Stodden then escalated the situation by offering to donate to a nonprofit organization of her choice.
The media personality confessed in an interview with Variety that he was “very surprised” and “grateful” that the actor “was actually able to take accountability” before urging Alexander to take action.
“When I first heard the news that he had publicly apologized, I was grateful because I think it’s the first step towards change,” she told the outlet, adding that she thought “it would be even better if he could do that.”
In addition to encouraging donations, Stodden also suggested voting in favor of AB 1267, a California bill that would ban child marriage.
The reality TV personality also reflected on a comedy skit in which she wore a revealing bikini, telling the magazine that she felt “manipulated.”
“I was in shock,” Stodden said of the scene. “It felt very familiar. It was like he stepped out of ‘Pretty Woman’ and thought it would be fun to recreate that with kids. I didn’t know he would feel me on set.”
Stodden told the newspaper that she “trusted the adults around her” and said in retrospect the incident was “really damaging”.
The singer and advocate told Page Six that speaking out about the encounter now “is not looking back for its own sake.”
“I want to create a future where children are better protected and adults in positions of power are held to higher standards,” Stodden said.
