Ashley Judd was caught in a series of March Madness scandals last week, starting with an awkward-looking kiss with Dick Vitale at the SEC title game on Sunday.

Ashley Judd/Dick Vitale Kiss Goes Viral

Judd, an avid basketball fan, was caught in an awkward lip-lock with Vitale Sunday, March 15, and the moment, caught by the University of Kentucky Athletics Photo Department, quickly went viral.

In the photo, Vitale is leaning in with his eyes closed, while Judd appears to be leaning back, away from the surprise kiss. Many were confused by the public display of affection, with most calling the kiss evidence of unwanted advances on the part of Vitale. Judd, however, has tried to set that rumor to rest, saying that she was “disappointed” in the public’s initial reaction. Judd also took to Twitter to clear up any negative rumors, writing, “Only surprise in my planting one on dear [Dickie V] is I’ve adored him for 10 years. At thrilling UK games I’ve been known to kiss strangers!”

In fact, the affection between Judd and Vitale does appear to be reciprocal. Vitale later shared a photo of the two on Instagram, this one with Judd giving Vitale a big kiss on the cheek.

Eat ur heart out guys / She loves KENTUCKY !

A photo posted by Dick Vitale (@dickiev_espn) on Mar 15, 2015 at 9:53am PDT

Ashley Judd To File Charges Against Twitter Bullies

Unfortunately, Judd’s online adventures didn’t end there. After expressing her allegiance to the University of Kentucky on Twitter, the Insurgent actress fell victim to a flood of negative, hateful tweets. “When I express a stout opinion during #MarchMadness I am called a whore, c—t, threatened with sexual violence. Not okay,” Judd wrote, followed by a particularly nasty example of one such tweet.

In addition to fighting back on Twitter by reporting users, Judd announced plans to take legal action during an interview with NBC News on Tuesday. “The amount of gender violence that I experience is absolutely extraordinary. And a significant part of my day today will be spent filing police reports at home about gender violence directed at me on social media,” Judd told Craig Melvin of NBC News.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.