Ronda Rousey recently attempted to connect with fans through a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) to promote her new graphic novel, Expecting the Unexpected. Co-created with the iconic comic artist Mike Deodato Jr., the novel marks Rousey’s creative foray into the world of comics. However, what started as a promising interaction quickly derailed into a PR disaster.
The AMA began with Rousey eagerly discussing her latest project, hoping to share insights into her creative journey. Yet, instead of focusing on her novel, the conversation quickly shifted to past controversies. Fans brought up Rousey’s 2013 tweet supporting a conspiracy theory about the S andy Hook tragedy—a move that had sparked outrage at the time. The AMA, originally intended as a promotional tool, became a platform for fans to demand answers about her past.
Questions about Rousey’s stance on the matter flooded the thread, with many pointing out that her previous apology had seemed inadequate. The crowd wanted to know if her views had evolved, especially now that she is a mother herself. The tone became increasingly critical, and despite Rousey’s attempts to redirect the discussion to her graphic novel, the situation quickly spun out of control.
The AMA, overwhelmed by these pointed questions, eventually saw Rousey stop responding entirely. This silence only added fuel to the fire, leaving participants to speculate about why she had seemingly abandoned the conversation. The AMA, intended to showcase her creative work, instead highlighted the enduring impact of her controversial past.
In the aftermath, Rousey issued a heartfelt apology, reflecting on her past mistakes. She expressed deep regret for her actions, acknowledging the hurt she caused by promoting a harmful conspiracy theory. Rousey admitted that she had spent years drafting and redrafting an apology, fearful of causing further damage. She also recognized that she deserved the backlash, including the loss of opportunities and the criticism she faced.
“I can’t say how many times I’ve redrafted this apology over the last 11 years. How many times I’ve convinced myself it wasn’t the right time or that I’d be causing even more damage by giving it. But eleven years ago I made the single most regrettable decision of my life. I watched a S andy Hook conspiracy video and reposted it on Twitter. I didn’t even believe it, but was so horrified at the truth that I was grasping for an alternative fiction to cling to instead. I quickly realized my mistake and took it down, but the damage was done. By some miracle it seemingly slipped under the media’s radar, I was never asked about it so I never spoke of it again, afraid that calling attention to it would have the opposite of the intended effect – it could increase the views of those conspiracy videos, and selfishly, inform even more people I was ignorant, self-absorbed, and tone-deaf enough to share one in the first place.
I drafted a thousandth apology to include in my last memoir, but my publisher begged me to take it out, saying it would overshadow everything else and do more harm than good. So I convinced myself that apologizing would just reopen the wound for no other reason than me selfishly trying to make myself feel better, that I would hurt those suffering even more and possibly lead more people down the black hole.”
“…of conspiracy bull**** by it being brought up again just so I could try to shake the label of being a ‘S andy Hook truther.’ But honestly I deserve to be hated, labeled, detested, resented and worse for it. I deserve to lose out on every opportunity, I should have been canceled, I would have deserved it. I still do.
I apologize that this came 11 years too late, but to those affected by the S andy Hook massacre, from the bottom of my heart and depth of my soul I am so so sorry for the hurt I caused. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’ve endured and words cannot describe how thoroughly remorseful and ashamed I am of myself for contributing to it. I’ve regretted it every day of my life since and will continue to do so until the day I die.
And to anyone else that’s fallen down the black hole of bull****. It doesn’t make you edgy, or an independent thinker, you’re not doing your due diligence entertaining every possibility by digesting these conspiracies. They will only make you feel powerless, afraid, miserable and isolated. You’re doing nothing but hurting others and yourself. Regardless of how many bridges you’ve burned over it, stop digging yourself a deeper hole, don’t get wrapped up in the sunk cost fallacy, no matter how long you’ve gone down the wrong road, you should still turn back.”
The public response to the apology seems positive and acknowledges Rousey didn’t attempt to shift blame or deflect. Some still tried to troll her, but considering the grave tragedy it’s possibly best to let the star repent and let the parents find peace.
