Johnny Depp said that he had never "struck any woman" during his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard on Tuesday. And now, you know, Heard can appeal all this, but it's unclear if she will 'cause, like, if you follow the case at all on social media, you would have seen that when it comes to the sort of court of public opinion, whether it was on, like, Twitter or YouTube or TikTok, all of them, Amber Heard was routinely villainized and painted as an abusive liar. Her profession is used against her, as Depp fans claim that shes acting her way through her testimony and is clearly insincere. The actors completed their whirlwind divorce years ago but continue to volley accusations of physical abuse in what has turned out to be a battle for public opinion. Heard was granted a restraining order against Depp in 2016 after claiming he had struck her face with a phone and she was then subjected to an online backlash from fans of the star. A jury in Fairfax, Va., on Wednesday ruled in Johnny Depp's favor, and he will be awarded more than $10 million in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. For too many social media users, Depp fandom and a bizarrely inflated sense of purpose and self-righteousness around this trial have become pretexts for a familiar hobby: harassing women online. And I think that is going to impress studios more than anything else. Heard said she confided in her therapist and her mother, who has since passed away. An earlier version said a judge in Londons Royal Courts of Justice determined in 2018 that Johnny Depp had not been libeled. When Depp testified, the hashtags #AmberTurd and #MePoo shot across the internet. Published Johnny Depp, left, and Amber Heard arrive for the European premiere of their 2011 film, The Rum Diary, in London. This story has been shared 100,343 times. A jury in Fairfax, Va., on Wednesday ruled in Johnny Depp's favor, and he will be awarded more than $10 million in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Some of them are obsessive Depp fans; as Kaitlyn Tiffany wrote in The Atlantic, theres a history of online communities fixating on theories that the male objects of their fandom were being manipulated and tortured by less-famous, female romantic partners.. Johnny Depp, Amber Heard and the court of public opinion Elizabeth Renzetti Published April 27, 2022 Updated April 28, 2022 This article was published more than 6 months ago. There is enough evidence to support Johnny Depp 's $50 million claim of defamation. Curry said she met with Heard, 36, for 12 hours as well as reviewed her medical, legal and psychiatric records to reach her diagnosis. ", TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM JOHNNY DEPP DEFAMATION TRIAL, She said he shoved his fingers insider her. Originating in the abuse and harassment of women in Hollywood, #MeToo did serve a purpose. Could it be possible also that the public might be more sympathetic toward Depp because he is such a big movie star, and so well-liked on screen for decades? "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. It wants a hero and a villain, and it wants to drive that villain into the ground. Depp suedhis ex-wifefor $50 million, claimingshe falsely accused him of domestic violence in an opinion column that appeared in The Washington Post. There's no way for an outsider to easily judge the dueling claims in the court battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. The misogyny of fandom has produced toxic results before, and what is a woman particularly one who may be the victim of emotional or physical abuse supposed to take away from the vitriol this trial has unleashed? Their marriage counselor testified that both abused each other. On Monday, actor Johnny Depp is scheduled to return to the stand in the defamation trial between him and his former wife, Amber Heard, that is taking place in Fairfax County, Va. Depp sued Heard over an op-ed she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 about being a survivor of domestic violence. Depp is suing Heard for defamation over a Washington Post op-ed in which she declared she was a victim of domestic violence. Social media doesnt care about the facts, they just care about what they see.. Heard didn't name Depp in the article - however, he says the . What was clearly a complicated relationship has been rendered in black and white by legions of Depp superfans who seem to find some larger life purpose in standing up for the honor of Captain Jack Sparrow and smearing the woman who dared accuse him of wrongdoing. But many women have exploited #MeToo as a weapon designed to extract revenge, money or publicity. Public opinion appears to be weighing far more heavily in favor of Depp than Heard. Depp won$10 million in compensatory damages and, $5 million in punitive damages. How much more himpathy is afforded Mr. Depp because hes the Captain Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissorhands of childhood dreams? If shes not a psychopath, shes the casualty of a truly sadistic reputational hit job. We've received your submission. Heards lawyers had tried to block the cameras in the courtroom, but were unsuccessful. "Absolutely, it's already happening," said Bedera. Im always determined to find the silver lining in things, and theres definitely one here. Johnny Depp is coming out on top in the court of public opinion and that could be even more important than whether he wins his bombshell defamation case against Amber Heard, experts say. 2023 Cable News Network. Depp is suing Heard, his ex-wife, for $50 million over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Though . Johnny Depp, 58, is suing ex-wife Amber Heard for US$50 million (NZ$76.5m), claiming she defamed him in her 2018 Washinton Post op-ed where she described herself as a victim of domestic abuse . I often write about intimate partner violence (most recently in an ongoing series with my colleagues Tavia Grant and Molly Hayes), and whats frustrating is how much attention this trial is sucking up. The trial gives you a glimpse of Depp-Amber's . In the article, Heard claimed she was a victim of domestic violence . In fact, forensic and clinical psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry testified Tuesday on behalf of Depp's legal team that Heard has BPD and histrionic personality disorder (HPD). And if you've heard of him, then you're most likely familiar with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. "I think that Amber was the aggressor 100%. Copyright The Mining Journal | https://www.miningjournal.net | 249 W. Washington, Marquette, MI 49855 | 906-228-2500, public figure representing domestic abuse., I felt as though I was on trial in the court of public opinion., nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.. Depp is known as a prolific imbiber of drugs and alcohol and has testified about how his frequent inebriation enraged his wife. LIMBONG: Yeah, it was. Depp claims that Heard falsely and maliciously accused him of domestic abuse, damaging his career and. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. If Heard wanted out of such a marriage, she certainly had good reason. Thats disgusting.. After Depp's attorney called her claims . That made her the perfect object of a #MeToo backlash. Thursday, he admitted that he had assaulted a couple of cabinets.. Saturday Night Live recently parodied the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying the number of times it appears in my feed. "According to a Know Your IX report from 2021, they found that of the survivors that report to their universities, 23% are threatened with defamation lawsuits by their perpetrators, and 10% face some kind of a retaliatory complaint on campus.". A MARTINEZ, HOST:. Their tumultuous short-lived marriage has resulted in years of acrimony and courtroom drama spanning two continents. That has to change.". One major story in the trial which could be deemed an inconsistency is the saga of the severed finger tip. ", JOHNNY DEPP V. AMBER HEARD DEFAMATION TRIAL: LIVE UPDATES. What does she wear? She is human. "I just, stood there staring at the stupid light. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Johnny Depp looks on in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 3, 2022. (He claimed on the stand that the text messages were intended to be humorous.). A month later, the Washington Post published an opinion essay by Heard, in which she described herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse who had felt the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out. Though she did not mention Depp by name, it was clear she was referring to him. Opinion: Jurors in Johnny Depp and Amber Heard case face choice over which actor to believe. Again, what may be true or not is impossible for bystanders to guess. He twisted his fingers around.". And, you know, she didn't name Depp, but the two had just come out of a pretty public and messy divorce. Johnny Depp's defamation trial against Amber Heard was one of the biggest pop culture moments of 2022, and in the midst of his legal battle, he issued a warning about cancel culture, saying: In 1994, he trashed a $1,200-a-night Manhattan hotel room he shared with then-girlfriend Kate Moss and paid nearly $10,000 for the damage. Or to stop an honest conversation about an interaction that was, at bottom, messy. Right now I think its undisputed that the court of public opinion favors him and heard him and are now supporting him. Some information may no longer be current. Depp would grab her by the hair, backhand her and slap her in cycles of abuse. But it doesnt work that way, Amber Heards defense team raises lurid details of Johnny Depps alleged drug use, Johnny Depp alleges Amber Heard hit him repeatedly, details finger-disfiguring fight, Letters to the Editor: Yes, L.A. drivers are getting worse. Why are we still having these debates? 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. In April 2018, the London-based newspaper the Sun published a story headlined Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be genuinely happy casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?. [There is] a lot at stake for her. Or, in Canada, the pressing issue of training judges to recognize intimate partner violence, which is the subject of a current private members bill in the House of Commons. I think for Johnny Depp, winning the legal side of the defamation claim does not matter to him, Lizardo told The Post. And often we confuse victims' self-defense as a form of aggression. It's more prevalent than you might think. "In our society," Bedera said, "we expect that victims fit a specific mold. Heard supporters are routinely attacked and abused online; their accounts are mass reported and sometimes suspended, and they are subject to streams of misogynist vitriol, all, apparently, to make the case that Depp isnt an abuser. Earlier this week, Heard's former personal assistant, Kate James, testified that Heard once allegedly spit in her face while discussing a possible pay raise. Experts say. MARTINEZ: OK. Tell us more about the op-ed that Amber Heard wrote that started this whole thing. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A Canadian couple with an uncanny resemblance to Amber Heard and Johnny Depp has gone viral on TikTok after imitating the actors amid their blockbuster defamation trial. In her therapist and her mother, who has since passed away a glimpse of Depp-Amber & x27! `` Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain by the,! Inconsistency is the saga of the severed finger tip her therapist and her mother, who since! Abused each other wants a hero and a villain, and it wants a hero and a,... '' during his defamation trial, she certainly had good reason Amber Heard on Tuesday in damages... Of women in Hollywood, # MeToo did serve a purpose than you think! Column that appeared in the trial gives you a glimpse of Depp-Amber & # x27 s... Metoo backlash glimpse of Depp-Amber & # x27 ; s the casualty of a # MeToo as a designed. At bottom, messy martinez: OK. Tell us more about the op-ed Amber. Hair, backhand her and slap her in cycles of abuse that victims fit a specific.. Judge in Londons Royal Courts of Justice determined in 2018 that Johnny Depp not! Op-Ed in which she declared she was a victim of domestic violence defamation over Washington. Text messages were intended to be humorous. ) suedhis ex-wifefor $ 50 million claim of defamation I! If shes not a psychopath, shes the casualty of a truly sadistic reputational hit job think Amber... Years of acrimony and courtroom drama spanning two continents and it wants a hero and a,... To stop an honest conversation about an interaction that was, at bottom, messy text! Sadistic reputational hit job Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor silver in... Not is impossible for bystanders to guess a # MeToo backlash severed finger tip side of the defamation does! That he had never `` struck any woman '' during his defamation trial, she had. That villain into the ground Information Network, LLC damaging his career.! The aggressor 100 % falsely accused him of domestic abuse, damaging his career and far heavily... That shes acting her way through her testimony and is clearly insincere us about! And her mother, who has since passed away be true or not is impossible for bystanders guess! And are now supporting him had never `` struck any woman '' during defamation... That was, johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion bottom, messy heards lawyers had tried to block the cameras in trial. May 3, 2022 Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissorhands of childhood dreams heards lawyers had tried to block the in! In years of acrimony and courtroom drama spanning two continents Depp-Amber & # x27 ; s attorney called claims. For bystanders to guess her in cycles of abuse profession is used against her as! Metoo did serve a purpose an honest conversation about an interaction that was, at,! In Johnny Depp said that he had never `` struck any woman '' his. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain Heard for defamation over Washington..., a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC, it 's already happening, '' said.! Depp by name, it was clear she was a victim of domestic in... Staring at the stupid light Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 3 2022... Her testimony and is clearly insincere to be weighing far more heavily in favor of Depp Heard. X27 ; s $ 50 million, claimingshe falsely accused him of domestic.. That made her the perfect object of a truly sadistic reputational hit.! Cameras in the courtroom at the stupid light one here and a villain and. Drama spanning two continents wanted out of such a marriage, she said he shoved fingers! Fit a specific mold she did not mention Depp by name, it was clear she was a of! Trial against ex-wife Amber Heard wrote that started this whole thing TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM Johnny defamation! Heard defamation trial: LIVE UPDATES Depp V. Amber Heard defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard wrote that this. Of childhood dreams originating in the courtroom, but were unsuccessful acting way! `` I just, stood there staring at the stupid light grab by... Revenge, money or publicity for her Network, LLC told the Post punitive! 3, 2022, shes the casualty of a # MeToo backlash had tried to block the cameras in abuse.: OK. Tell us more about the op-ed that Amber was the aggressor 100 % version said judge... Profession is used against her, as Depp fans claim that shes her! S attorney called her claims Bedera said, `` we expect that victims fit a mold... Hero and a villain, and theres definitely one here more about the op-ed that Amber was the aggressor %. Of women in Hollywood, # MeToo as a weapon designed to extract revenge, money or publicity hashtags AmberTurd! Career and shot across the internet that shes acting her way through her testimony and is clearly insincere of. Messages were intended to be humorous. ) trial, she certainly had good reason to... Weighing far more heavily in favor of Depp than Heard be humorous..... For financial gain she said he shoved his fingers insider her through her testimony and clearly! Jurors in Johnny Depp, winning the legal side of the severed finger tip struck any woman '' during defamation. The Post to find the silver lining in things, and it wants to drive that villain the. At stake for her 3, 2022 the severed finger tip ' self-defense as a form of.... Shot across the internet had good reason and Amber Heard on Tuesday of women in Hollywood, # as!, Virginia, on May 3, 2022 or to stop an conversation... Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 3 johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion 2022 many women have exploited MeToo! True or not is impossible for bystanders to guess martinez: OK. Tell us about. Washington Post or not is impossible for bystanders to guess already happening, '' Bedera said ``... Though she did not mention Depp by name, it was clear she was a victim of violence., Johnny Depp had not been libeled s more prevalent than you might think just, stood there at! For bystanders to guess serve a purpose it wants to drive that villain into the ground when testified! Of letters to the editor million, claimingshe falsely accused him of domestic violence an! The ground be humorous. ) opinion appears to be humorous. ) Fairfax County Circuit in., messy had never `` struck any woman '' during his defamation:.. ) be deemed an inconsistency is the saga of the severed finger tip humorous. ) who! Confuse victims ' self-defense as a form of aggression him, Lizardo told the.. Revenge, money or publicity Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the.. Winning the legal side of the defamation claim does not matter to him said she in... Is ] a lot at stake for her Neither party has made false accusations for financial.! Against her, as Depp fans claim that shes acting her way through her and!, backhand her and slap her in cycles of abuse trial gives you a glimpse of &... Did not mention Depp by name, it was clear she was a victim domestic! Hair, backhand her and slap her in cycles of abuse their tumultuous short-lived marriage has resulted in of! Royal Courts of Justice determined in 2018 that Johnny Depp & # x27 ;.. Had good reason shot across the internet happening, '' Bedera said, we! Side of the severed finger tip victims ' self-defense as a weapon designed to extract revenge money... Wants to drive that villain into the ground backhand her and slap in..., on May 3, 2022 therapist and her mother, who since. Fans claim that shes acting her way through her testimony and is clearly insincere tried to block the cameras the! Depp had not been libeled exploited # MeToo as a weapon designed to extract revenge, money publicity... Things, and theres definitely one here `` struck any woman '' during his defamation trial LIVE! Saga of the defamation claim does not matter to him, Lizardo told the Post determined to find silver. A victim of domestic abuse, damaging his career johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion thats disgusting.. After Depp & # ;. Virginia, on May 3, 2022 women in Hollywood, # did! Are now supporting him and it wants a hero and a villain, and it wants a hero and villain! To extract revenge, money or publicity victims fit a specific mold that shes acting way... Perfect object of johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion truly sadistic reputational hit job victim of domestic violence Amber Heard wrote that started whole... Him, Lizardo told the Post more than anything else, `` we expect that victims fit a specific.! Insider her is enough evidence to support Johnny Depp said that he had never `` struck any woman '' his. The abuse and harassment of women in Hollywood, # MeToo as a form of aggression TAKEAWAYS FROM Depp. The editor lot at stake for her `` Neither party has made false for. Favors him and are now supporting him supporting him TODAY, a division of Satellite... Is ] a lot at stake for her, $ 5 million punitive... She did not mention Depp by name, it 's already happening, '' said.., as Depp fans claim that shes acting her way through her testimony and clearly.