Keir Johnston, Man Behind Viral Blue And Black Dress, Pleads Guilty To a Violent Attack on His Spouse

Keir Johnston, the Man Linked to the Viral Dress Debate, Pleads Guilty to a Violent Attack on His Spouse

Keir Johnston, a Scottish man who gained internet fame due to a viral optical illusion involving a dress, has confessed to assaulting his wife, Grace Johnston. The 38-year-old accepted the charge on Thursday for the violent act that occurred in their Scotland home on the Isle of Colonsay on March 6, 2022.

The Violent Attack

According to the Guardian, Johnston’s threats included wielding a knife and pronouncing fatal intents after an evening session of drinking. Prosecutor Chris Macintosh stated to the Glasgow High Court that Johnston overwhelmed and pinned down Grace, proceeding to strangle her while she lay helpless. Even after an observer intervened, Johnston reasserted his violent actions with threats of finality and resumed choking Grace, a detail mentioned by the BBC.

Grace sustained significant injuries and reached out to police, indicting her husband’s intent to end her life. Johnston’s initial charge was attempted murder.

History of Abuse and Coercive Control

Throughout the trial, accounts of significant abuse and coercive control spanning an 11-year marriage were revealed by Grace Johnston. Johnston also restricted Grace’s social connections and financial independence, exerting further control.

Their accidental internet fame originated from a dress-related confusion before their wedding in February 2015. When Grace’s mother, Cecilia Bleasdale, sought her daughter’s opinion on a dress for their wedding, it caused a division in perception between Grace and Johnston – white and gold versus black and blue, respectively. The dress’s actual color is indeed black and blue.

The couple and Grace’s mother rose to fame after their friend Caitlin McNeill shared the dress’ image online, as reported by Business Insider. Their debate gained such traction that it even led to an appearance on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show”, where the talk show host sought to reconcile the debate, gifting the couple substantially.

After his guilty plea, Keir Johnston sought bail but was remanded into custody, awaiting sentencing. Describing the crime’s severity, Judge Lady Drummond emphasized the life-threatening situation Keir imposed on his wife and revoked his temporary freedom, as per BBC sources. Sentencing is scheduled for June 6.

The curious case of Keir Johnston, from internet fame brought by a dress coloring debate to confessing a heinous assault, highlights the unpredictability of events that can bring someone into the public eye. While his initial claim to viral fame had a lighter undertone, the later revelations of domestic violence show a much darker reality. As the online community reflects on the transient nature of internet fame, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the serious issues that often lurk behind viral content.