In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Johnny Depp opened up about his personal experiences of parenthood and the challenges he faces as his children grow older, offering sincere reflections on Johnny Depp on parenting and empty-nest syndrome. Depp discussed raising his children, Lily-Rose and Jack, alongside ex-girlfriend Vanessa Paradis, sharing both the joys and difficulties of watching them become adults.
Depp Shares Memories of Raising His Children
Johnny Depp reminisced about his time as a parent, recalling moments from his children’s youth spent in the south of France. The actor revealed these thoughts during a conversation in which he showed a portrait he painted of Lily-Rose as a child, saying,
“I never finished it. She was ten then, and 25 now.”
—Johnny Depp, Actor. As he reflected on their growing up, Depp continued,
“Years get away from us, don’t they?”
—Johnny Depp, Actor. Admitting to feelings of loss as his children have grown, Depp confessed, “I’m of the empty-nest syndrome.” —Johnny Depp, Actor.
When addressing his role as a father and what he misses most, Depp expressed,
“Oh man, my kids growing up in the south of France in their youth? I was Papa. I cannot tell you how much I loved being Papa.”
—Johnny Depp, Actor. He contrasted those early years in France with later life in Los Angeles, noting,
“Then, suddenly, Papa was out the window. I was Dad. But Papa was awesome and I’m getting old enough for Papa to possibly come back.”
—Johnny Depp, Actor. In these reflections, Depp highlighted the passage of time and the changing nature of the parent-child relationship.
Finding Home and Sharing Advice
Johnny Depp described a deep sense of belonging in the place where he and Vanessa Paradis raised their children. He stated,
“Truly, the first time I felt I had a home was the place in the south of France where Vanessa and I raised the kiddies. That’s the only place that ever felt like home.”
—Johnny Depp, Actor. This attachment to family life in France stood out as a defining element of Depp’s experience as a parent.
The actor also discussed the advice he gives to Lily-Rose, who is building her own career in entertainment with roles in “The Idol” and “Nosferatu.” Depp admitted,
“Sometimes kids say to me, ‘I want to be an actor, what’s your advice?’ And I say, ‘Don’t be!’”
—Johnny Depp, Actor. Explaining his caution, Depp said,
“I know what’s coming for them,”
—Johnny Depp, Actor, and further elaborated:
“I was chucked on that road and the only advice that I can give is, ‘Don’t allow anyone to make you something you are not.’ They’ll want you to be a poster boy and it’s tempting — a lot of money. And if that’s the direction you want? Go for it. But don’t let anybody choose for you.”
—Johnny Depp, Actor.
Lily-Rose Reflects on Family and Growing Up
Lily-Rose Depp also publicly reflected on her upbringing during a 2022 Elle interview. She described learning to handle fame on her own terms, separate from her parents’ established careers.
“It’s different experiencing it firsthand rather than by proxy,”
—Lily-Rose Depp, Actress. She noted the challenge of forging her own path:
“I guess it’s something that I’ve had to make my own way with.”
—Lily-Rose Depp, Actress.
Despite the unique nature of her upbringing, Lily-Rose acknowledged her parents’ efforts to offer her and her brother as normal a childhood as possible, given their circumstances. She commented,
“I know my childhood didn’t look like everybody’s childhood, and it’s a very particular thing to deal with, but it’s also the only thing that I know.”
—Lily-Rose Depp, Actress.
Looking Ahead: Navigating Change and Family Bonds
With both Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis having guided Lily-Rose and Jack through their formative years, the family continues to feel the emotional waves of growing up, changing roles, and forging identities. Depp’s experience with empty-nest syndrome, personal reflections on what makes a home, and the advice he offers to his daughter suggest that the journey of parenting does not simply end as children leave but transforms into new chapters and perspectives. These candid insights reveal both the pain of letting go and the pride in watching his children create their own lives, as family bonds adapt to time and distance.
