Cedric Chrissie Bixler
Cedric and Chrissie Bixler (photo via Cedric's Instagram)

Chrissie Bixler slams Netflix after accusing Danny Masterson of rape

Actor and scientologist Danny Masterson, who starred as Hyde in That ’70s Show and now co-stars in Netflix’s The Ranch with fellow That ’70s Show actor Ashton Kutcher, has been formally accused of rape by four women, one of whom filed a police report against him in 2004 (the case didn’t move forward after alleged intervention from The Church of Scientology). Earlier this year, the LAPD began an investigation and interviewed the women accusing Masterson, and despite having “compelling evidence,” Huffington Post reported that the case was “inexplicably stalled” earlier this month.

The Huffington Post article also pointed out that Netflix have not only not distanced themselves from Masterson, but announced that new episodes of The Ranch would premiere in December, despite taking action on other alleged sexual predators like Kevin Spacey, who was fired from House of Cards, and Louis CK, whose upcoming special was cancelled when he admitted to sexual misconduct. Now, one of Masterson’s accusers, actress and former scientologist Chrissie Carnell Bixler, has issued a statement to The Daily Beast slamming Netflix for continuing to work with Masterson.

An excerpt of Bixler’s statement reads: “For me, what Netflix has done, feels like a continuation of how the Church of Scientology made me feel when I reported my rape to them, as well as how Danny Masterson made me feel when I would beg him for an apology, an explanation, anything. I was made to feel unimportant. I was made to feel like I didn’t matter. Like what Danny Masterson did to me didn’t matter. My body doesn’t matter, because it doesn’t belong to me. The trauma and emotional pain doesn’t matter, because I just don’t matter. ‘Danny Masterson is a celebrity. He flourishes and prospers in life. You protect that and reward that.’ -direct quote from the Church of Scientology.” You can read her full statement below.

Bixler’s husband, At the Drive In and The Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler Zavala, has also commented on Twitter, mentioning that The Church of Scientology has been harassing his family since his wife pressed charges last year. Read his tweets below:

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931167855072210945

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931170613212975104

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931175566379687939

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931182746747236352

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931183789904158721

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931184571449790465

https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/931186039590440960

The rape charges filed against Masterson include allegations that he raped one woman “‘while she was “passed out,’ and when she awoke and realized he was raping her, she struggled with him until he choked her and she passed out again,” according to a report filed with the Los Angeles Police Department and obtained by Huffington Post. In a statement to E News, Masterson has denied the charges, calling them “false allegations” that “appear to be motivated to boost” the anti-Scientology series of Leah Remini.

Here is Chrissie Barnell Bixler’s full statement:

I was sick when I read Netflix’s statement on continuing with The Ranch and continuing their working relationship with a man who has violently raped and abused so many women. Four months after the story broke, and the LAPD confirmed a criminal investigation, Netflix ordered another season of The Ranch. After the HuffPost piece, and the journalist reaching out 15 times to get a statement from Netflix, [they] ultimately said they will continue to work with Masterson until something develops. (Not the actual quote obviously.)

For me, what Netflix has done, feels like a continuation of how the Church of Scientology made me feel when I reported my rape to them, as well as how Danny Masterson made me feel when I would beg him for an apology, an explanation, anything. I was made to feel unimportant. I was made to feel like I didn’t matter. Like what Danny Masterson did to me didn’t matter. My body doesn’t matter, because it doesn’t belong to me. The trauma and emotional pain doesn’t matter, because I just don’t matter. ‘Danny Masterson is a celebrity. He flourishes and prospers in life. You protect that and reward that.’ -direct quote from the Church of Scientology. I don’t matter. The other women don’t matter. Our pain means nothing, and we should be good little girls and shut our mouths. No! I’m going to be an amazing woman who will NOT shut my mouth when I find out my rapist raped countless other women. I will NOT shut my mouth when Netflix tries to make us feel like we don’t matter. We DO matter. We ARE important. We will see justice for what was done to us, and is continuing to be done to us…and for all those who knew/know and are either actively helping this serial rapist or are choosing to stay silent…YOU don’t matter.

Victims are taking back the power that was stolen from us, and things are going to change. Netflix should write that down.

Chrissie also tweeted the following after Netflix paused filming on alleged rapist Ed Westwick’s show White Gold:

https://twitter.com/ChrissieBixler/status/930961080771280898