Alyssa Milano has called on Megyn Kelly to apologise after the broadcaster made remarks about the physical appearance of a woman identified as Jane Doe, who has accused seven men of sexually assaulting her at a Cornell University fraternity house. The actress criticised Kelly for discussing the woman's body while questioning her account of the alleged incident.
In an open letter published on Substack on 8 October 2026, Milano challenged Kelly's comments about the woman's appearance, the delay before she reported the alleged assault and her right to anonymity. The dispute has drawn renewed attention to the case, which remains under investigation, and raised questions about how public figures discuss sexual assault allegations.
Alyssa Milano Condemns Megyn Kelly's Remarks
Milano's letter followed comments Kelly made during the 5 October episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, which airs on SiriusXM. Discussing the Cornell case, Kelly described Jane Doe as 'not the most attractive gal' and 'extremely beefy in her arms and her legs'. She also speculated that the woman might have enjoyed feeling admired and desired by men.
Milano opened her letter by challenging Kelly's use of the word 'cankles' to describe the woman's body. She argued that the broadcaster had shifted attention away from the alleged assault and towards the accuser's appearance.
The actress also disputed Kelly's speculation about whether Jane Doe might have welcomed the attention. Milano argued that assumptions about a woman's attractiveness or desire for approval cannot establish whether sexual activity was consensual.
Her criticism was directed at Kelly's commentary, rather than constituting an independent finding about the underlying allegations. The legal case and the broadcaster's opinions remain separate matters.
'You Owe Women an Apology'
Milano's letter challenged Kelly over more than her remarks about Jane Doe's appearance. She also questioned the broadcaster's comments about the three-week delay before the woman reported the alleged incident, arguing that there is no single way someone must respond after a traumatic experience.
The actress drew a comparison with Kelly's own public account of sexual harassment by former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes. Milano argued that Kelly should recognise the difficulties women can face when reporting alleged misconduct, including fears about whether they will be believed.
Milano further criticised Kelly for questioning Jane Doe's anonymity. She argued that safeguarding the identity of someone making sexual assault allegations should not be treated as evidence that the account lacks credibility.
Her central demand was explicit: 'You owe women an apology.' She also called on Kelly to apologise to Jane Doe and correct the implication that the broadcaster's personal opinion of the woman had any bearing on consent.
Milano acknowledged that publishing the letter could bring more attention to Kelly's programme. In a postscript, she urged readers not to watch, subscribe to or share clips from the show simply to express outrage, arguing that this could generate further attention for the broadcaster.
What Is the Cornell Jane Doe Case?
The controversy centres on a civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student identified as Jane Doe. She alleges that seven men sexually assaulted her at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The allegations have not been established in court, and the accused men are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
According to The Associated Press, Jane Doe's lawyer said she believed the criminal investigation was continuing, although the local district attorney had previously declined to pursue charges. New York Governor Kathy Hochul later appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor after the investigation was reopened. No criminal charges had been filed in the reports cited here.
Cornell has also commissioned an independent review of its handling of sexual misconduct complaints. On 13 October, Reuters reported that the university had suspended fraternity parties and social events for the remainder of the 2026–27 academic year following public outcry over the case.
A Wider Debate on Media Responsibility
Milano's letter has added to a wider debate over how sexual assault allegations are discussed in public. Scrutiny of evidence and investigative decisions is part of examining a case, but commentary about a person's body or assumptions about their motives cannot, on its own, establish what happened.
The legal process will determine how the evidence is assessed. Neither Milano's criticism nor Kelly's commentary settles the allegations against the men named in the lawsuit.
For now, Milano's demand for an apology has placed Kelly's remarks at the centre of the public debate. Her letter argues that discussion of an alleged assault should focus on consent, evidence and accountability rather than the appearance of the person making the allegation.
