Johnny Depp sued ex-wife Amber Heard for an amount of $50 m (R 778,9 million) over an article in the Washington Post back in December 2018. Heard claimed that she has suffered from abuse, and insinuated that it was at his hand. She referred to herself as a public figure representing abuse’.
Although she did not mention Depp’s name, he argued that it was ‘defamation by implication’ because there were parts of the column that referred to allegations of abuse that she claimed against him after their breakup in 2016.
Heard later went on to counter-claim for an amount of $100m (R 1 564 620 00) over the statement that claimed her allegations to be a ‘’hoax’’ that was published in an online article called Mail Online in 2020.
Fast-forward to 2022, Depp won his multimillion-dollar US lawsuit against his former wife, this is after the jury ruled the 2018 Washington Post article to be defamatory.
Short of many coming out to the streets in celebration of this win, social media was abuzz over Depp’s triumph:
“Amber told Johnny Depp to tell the world that he, a man, was a victim of domestic violence and see who is gonna believe him. The whole world believes him. Today he won”.
Amber told Johnny Depp to tell the world that he, a man, was a victim of domestic violence and see who is gonna believe him. The whole world believes him. Today he won ❤️ #JohnnyDepp #AmberHeard pic.twitter.com/2QUq3leVkA
— Afshan Tayyab (@QueenAfshan_) June 1, 2022
“This win isn’t a blow for women it’s a win for Truth! Abuse is abuse it being from a woman or man. It’s justice for the right so happy for Johnny and his incredible team”.
This win isn’t a blow for women it’s a win for Truth ! Abuse is abuse it being from a woman or man 👏🏼It’s justice for the right so happy for Johnny and his incredible team #CamilleVazquez #BenChew #JohnnyDepp #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeard
— kelley foley✨💫🌈 (@KelleyFoley20) June 1, 2022
“A liar knows she will lose and had a tweet ready to post.
As a victim of domestic violence, you @realamberheard reminded so many of us of our abuser as you ridiculed your victim, #JohnnyDepp “see how many people believe you.” Well 7 do. As well as millions around the world”.
A liar knows she will lose and had a tweet ready to post.
As a victim of domestic violence, you @realamberheard reminded so many of us of our abuser as you ridiculed your victim, #JohnnyDepp “see how many people believe you.” Well 7 do. As well as millions around the world. 👏🏽 https://t.co/c5pgwt9KLT
— 49ergirl (@9ergirl) June 1, 2022
The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean star was awarded $15m by the court, while Heard was a $2m countersuit against him.
Depp stated that the jury’s decision was a vindication. However, his wife felt that it was “a disappointment”.
In a statement Depp said that he was humbled by the jury’s verdict, saying that the allegations had a massive impact on his life and career.
