Ashley Johnson is one of the most prolific voice actors working today. She plays Ellie in The Last of Us games (and appeared as Ellie’s mother in the HBO show) and plays Pike in both the Vox Machina TV show and the Critical Role Twitch show, where she Dungeons & Dragons alongside other voice actors like Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham.
Then there’s podcaster Brian Foster, known for interviewing members of the Critical Role crew on shows like Talks Machina and Between the Sheets. He frequently hosted Critical Role panels at conventions, solidifying his place in the Critter community.
Foster is also Johnson’s ex-fiance. Their love story began in 2012, and they announced their engagement in 2018. But while the couple seemed to be living in their own fantasy realm, things were far from perfect. Foster’s Twitter spats with Critters (Critical Role members and fans) often ended with public apologies and deleted tweets. That said, when Foster ended his association with Critical Role in August 2021, it appeared to be an amicable split.
Critical Role star Ashley Johnson takes out restraining order against ex-fiance Brian Foster
But appearances can be deceiving. Recently, The Blast obtained documents showing that Johnson had taken out a restraining order against Foster. Though I won’t delve into the salacious specifics, the general theme was all too familiar. Johnson recounts stories of verbal and mental abuse, Foster isolating her from loved ones, destroying property in fits of rage, carrying a bag of weapons, and continuous intoxication. Johnson claimed that her personal safety had been threatened. After Johnson was granted a 500-yard restraining order, Foster was escorted from the home he shared with Johnson by police.
Domestic violence is a real and pervasive issue that affects far too many people. If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, remember you’re not alone. Reach out to local resources or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
In the meantime, let’s show support, kindness, and empathy to Johnson.
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