Amber Heard mourns 'setback,' slams Johnny Depp's 'sway' after losing defamation case
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Moments after actor Johnny Depp won his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard on Wednesday, the former couple, who had sued and countersued each other in a Virginia court, issued dueling statements of triumph and disappointment.
The jury found that Heard had defamed Depp on three occasions and awarded the "Fantastic Beasts" star $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. However, the punitive damages were immediately reduced to $350,000 by Judge Penney Azcarate per state law.
Heard, who was awarded $2 million in her countersuit, shared her disappointment about the verdict and the effect it could have on victims of abuse.
"I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband," read her statement, which she shared on social media.
"I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.
"I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly," she said.
The "Aquaman" star, who was involved in a previous libel case in the U.K., said she believed Depp's attorneys "succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK."
— Amber Heard (@realamberheard) June 1, 2022
Women in Film, a nonprofit that advocates for women working in entertainment, echoed Heard's sentiment.
"We are deeply concerned the Depp-Heard decision will set precedent exacerbating barriers victims face in coming forward. The trial and its reception demonstrated a regressive trend of retaliation against those who speak out about violence or abuse perpetrated by those in power," the organization said in a statement posted on Twitter. It also offered support and resources "for people of any gender who have experienced sexual harassment or misconduct while working in the entertainment industry."
Tarana Burke, the founder of the landmark #MeToo movement, said she and her organization had been "harassed non stop" about the defamation trial and were asked to "pick a side." She asserted Wednesday that it was not a #MeToo case, as many had made it out to be, and as others lampooned the loaded hashtag as #MenToo on social media.
"#MeToo is the greatest acknowledgement by survivors about the prevalence of sexual violence, ever. Since the hashtag went viral, so much has shifted toward nuanced narratives about survivorhood and the long term, widespread impact of sexual violence," the statement said. "And yet, the way in which #MeToo has been co-opted and manipulated during the Depp vs. Heard trial is a toxic catastrophe and one of the biggest defamations of the movement we have ever seen."
The WIF Help Line offers support & resources for people of any gender who have experienced sexual harassment or misconduct while working in the entertainment industry. We're here for you; learn more at https://t.co/ssZ8lcT9SY.
M/W/F: 7am–8pm PT
Tu/Th: 10am–5pm PT
(855) 943-5463— WIF (@WomenInFilm) June 1, 2022
After the verdict was read, the hashtags #HeDidIt and #TruthWins began trending on Twitter as Depp's supporters — who had been vocal outside the courthouse and even more so online — celebrated the fallen star's victory.
In his reaction statement, which he posted to Instagram, Depp mourned the six years of his and his family's lives that were "forever changed" by Heard's Washington Post op-ed that the jury found had defamed him. The actor was pushed out of Disney's lucrative "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise and replaced by actor Mads Mikkelsen in Warner Bros.' third "Fantastic Beasts" film, which was released in April.
"False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back," said Depp, who was not in court when the verdict was read due to previously scheduled work commitments.
"I am truly humbled. My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought. From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.
"I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media," he added.
Depp also acknowledged the "noble work" of the judge, jurors, court staff, law enforcement and his legal team who were involved in the protracted case and closed his statement with the adage "Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."
By Wednesday afternoon, more than 9 million Instagram users had already liked Depp's Instagram post. Among them were embattled musician Ryan Adams, who had previously been accused of misconduct and commented on Depp's statement with several celebratory emojis. Around the same time, Heard's statement, which was also posted on Instagram, was hovering around 139,000 likes.
Musician Joe Perry, the Aerosmith rocker who performs with Depp in the rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires, also celebrated Depp getting his "life back."
"Proud and happy for Johnnys huge win today. We never doubted anything, we always knew the truth, and that the truth would prevail… Congratulations on getting your life back today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Perry tweeted, sharing a photo of them performing together.
Click here to catch up on key moments in the prolonged trial. Here's a look at more of the online reaction to Wednesday's verdict:
We're gonna have a bad day on this platform.
— Justin Ray (@by_justin) June 1, 2022
But I guess the jury was like....we think y'all both lying. So there's that?
— Gerrick Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy) June 1, 2022
THIS MAN LOST A DEFAMATION SUIT IN THE UK, AND WON IN THE US WHAT A WILD SITUATION
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) June 1, 2022
The Johnny depp verdict is in: all the oceans are dying
— Alena Smith (@internetalena) June 1, 2022
I wish the commentators on CNN would spend more time talking about the details of the Depp/Heard verdict. Because it was a little complex, especially the way Depp's damages were reduced by statute.
— Eric Deggans at NPR (@Deggans) June 1, 2022
This is the highest profile trial of the year. Someone should have made sure they got it right. https://t.co/PgZRoIoFlR
— Eric Deggans at NPR (@Deggans) June 1, 2022
@cnn @msnbc With all the critical issues going in our country and the world, the media's obsession with the Depp/Herd defamation trial of these multi-millionaires, is beyond sickening. And the media wonders why they are not trusted, why their ratings continue to sink?
— JALS2010 (@jals2010) June 1, 2022
Finally I can watch fantastic beast with Johnny Depp in it. Praise God
— Hilaree (@Hilaree_) June 1, 2022
That Johnny Depp trial was serious. I’m getting breaking news notifications and I do not care at all.
— Nique (@PolosNKicks) June 1, 2022
JOOOOOHNNY!!! JOHNNY, JOHNNY DEPP DEPP!!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🎶🎶🎶#JusticeForJohnnyDepp
— 1119✨ (@elisalgrd10) June 1, 2022
Seriously. Think about all the men who didn't have #JohnnyDepp money to reveal the truth. #DeppVsHeard #truthwins
— Just a Guy (@golfpatriot76) June 1, 2022
#JusticeForJohnnyDepp Finally!!! 🙌🙌🥳🥳🥳🙌🙌🙌💜💜💜 all those who doubted him i hope you eat your words!! #TruthWins
— ∞-Shirley-∞ (@xMinxiex) June 1, 2022
Johnny Depp’s victory should be a battle cry that not only should every accusation be taken seriously but should also be rigorously VERIFIED!#TruthWins
— François Marseille (@Iamthefutureone) June 1, 2022
For the record:
9:25 p.m. June 1, 2022: A previous version of this story said that Amber Heard won a libel case against Johnny Depp in the U.K. The British publication the Sun won the case against Depp. Heard provided witness testimony and other materials during the trial.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.