Mila Kunis has been in the spotlight for over three decades, but a large part of her time is spent outside of film sets. She’s actively involved in her local community in Los Angeles, where she takes on the role of president of the homeowners association, addressing various resident concerns.
This role began informally but has evolved into a consistent responsibility. Essentially, she is the go-to person for minor complaints that would typically be handled by anonymous management companies in other neighborhoods.
“We accept complaints,” Kunis said candidly in a recent interview.
Issues can range from trash bins being left out, early morning noise disturbances, to disagreements about property management. “If you have a complaint about someone’s trash or noise, you complain to me,” she explained.
Interestingly, her job incorporates both a sense of anonymity and a level of recognition.
According to Kunis, residents in Los Angeles have become so accustomed to celebrity sightings that they often behave as if it’s perfectly normal to voice grievances to someone they’ve seen on television for years. “They’re desensitized; this is L.A.,” she remarked.
However, for the contractors she communicates with regarding infrastructure issues, the novelty factor is more pronounced.
When Kunis needs someone to check on road damage or erosion, her requests often elicit surprise. She recalled situations where she’d say, “I know this is ridiculous, but could you give me an estimate on this?”
Her role extends beyond just making phone calls; she often finds herself acting as a liaison, scheduler, and sometimes a mediator for the community. She explains the association’s rules, provides updates, and works to keep small arguments from escalating. Even though this role is unpaid and far from glamorous, she approaches it with the same practicality she applies to her everyday life.
Her HOA duties weave seamlessly into her already structured mornings.
Kunis wakes up at 6:15 a.m., and the first thing she does is turn off her alarm. Then, her husband, Ashton Kutcher, prepares breakfast and lunch for their two kids before taking them to the bus stop.
After that, she fits in her workout routine, which includes everything from Pilates to treadmill sessions. Some days, the pace is quite hectic, leaving her little time for herself. “Sometimes I shower, sometimes I don’t,” she confessed. “Sometimes I have time to wipe my armpits.”
Living with Kutcher and their children, she balances her HOA responsibilities with her busy mornings, workouts, and a desire to maintain an offline existence. In her downtime, she enjoys browsing TikTok for cooking ideas and historical tidbits.
While her roles in film may be more prominent, Kunis’ voice remains a recognizable asset in her community. During the pandemic, she discovered that if she didn’t speak, she could easily go unnoticed. But as soon as she opened her mouth, people would exclaim, “Mira?”
This dynamic shifts further during HOA calls, where her speaking voice transforms the conversation.
She manages her HOA duties as effortlessly as she navigates social media, which she keeps somewhat at a distance. Preferring not to maintain a public account, she avoids sharing personal details and instead enjoys winding down at night by watching TikTok videos anonymously.
Kunis recently returned to the big screen in December with her role in “Wake Up Deadman: Knives Out Mystery,” where she portrays a police chief trying to keep order amidst chaos.
Reflecting on her off-screen responsibilities, she was asked if she sees herself as a stabilizing force at home. She chuckled before saying, “If you ask my husband, that’s definitely not the case,” but added, “If you ask me, of course.”
Her time in the HOA has mirrored her acting career, filled with lessons learned along the way. She clings to two key pieces of advice: “Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings,” and, “It’s okay to change your mind.” Both seem to resonate well in the realm of neighborhood politics.
