Johnny Depp reflects on fallout after Amber Heard trial, sharing how the tumultuous legal battles changed his relationships and public image. In a recent interview, Depp opened up about feeling betrayed by friends and discussed the lasting impact of his high-profile court cases in both the U.K. and the U.S.
Depp Recalls Feeling Betrayed After Legal Disputes
Speaking in a profile for the Times of London published June 21, Johnny Depp revealed how the aftermath of his legal fights with ex-wife Amber Heard affected him personally. Though he did not name individuals, Depp described a sense of abandonment from those he once considered close.
“I’ll tell you what hurts. There are people, and I’m thinking of three, who did me dirty,”
he stated. —Depp, Actor
He went on to remember happier times when these now-distant friends were involved in his family’s life, saying,
“Those people were at my kids’ parties. Throwing them in the air. And, look, I understand people who could not stand up [for me], because the most frightening thing to them was making the right choice.”
—Depp, Actor
The Personal and Professional Cost of Public Allegations
Depp described the impact of the #MeToo movement on his personal and professional life. He likened himself to an early subject of public scrutiny, commenting,
“I was pre-MeToo. I was like a crash test dummy for MeToo, … and I sponged it, took it all in. And so I wanted from the hundreds of people I’ve met in that industry to see who was playing it safe. ‘Better go woke!’”
—Depp, Actor
Depp’s relationship with Amber Heard, known for her role in Aquaman, began with marriage but ended in separation in 2017. Following their split, Heard, aged 39, accused Depp of domestic violence and secured a temporary restraining order. Depp, sharing two children—Lily-Rose and Jack—with his previous partner Vanessa Paradis, consistently denied the allegations.
Years in Court: Defamation Battles in the U.K. and U.S.
After Heard’s accusations, Depp sued the U.K. newspaper The Sun in response to being labeled a “wife beater” in a 2018 article. He lost the case two years later. Simultaneously, Depp pursued a defamation case against Heard over her Washington Post op-ed that referred to her experience with abuse, though he was not mentioned directly. In June 2022, a jury in Virginia ruled in Depp’s favor, awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Heard received $2 million in compensatory damages for her counterclaim.
Reflecting on the accusations and court battles, Depp insisted on maintaining his innocence and described the emotional toll.
“Look, it had gone far enough. I knew I’d have to semi-eviscerate myself. Everyone was saying, ‘It’ll go away!’ But I can’t trust that,”
he recalled. —Depp, Actor
He continued,
“What will go away? The fiction pawned around the f***ing globe? No, it won’t. If I don’t try to represent the truth it will be like I’ve actually committed the acts I am accused of, and my kids will have to live with it. Their kids. Kids that I’ve met in hospitals.”
—Depp, Actor
The Determination to Fight for Reputation and Family
Before the Virginia trial, Depp expressed a sense of resolve rather than anxiety.
“The night before the trial in Virginia, I didn’t feel nervous. If you don’t have to memorize lines, if you’re just speaking the truth? Roll the dice. Look, none of this was going to be easy, but I didn’t care. I thought, ‘I’ll fight until the bitter f***ing end. And if I end up pumping gas? That’s all right. I’ve done that before.’”
—Depp, Actor
Throughout his legal and personal battles, Depp consistently mentioned his concern for how the fallout would affect his daughter Lily-Rose, son Jack, and other children who know him. His decision to continue fighting was motivated by a desire to clear his name not only for himself but for his family and future generations.
Looking Ahead: Lasting Effects on Depp’s Life and Reputation
Johnny Depp’s case brought significant turbulence to his private life and Hollywood career, leading to strained friendships and shifts in his professional opportunities. The intense scrutiny from the public, the media, and the legal system left a mark on both Depp and his relationships. As Depp reflects on these events, he acknowledges the challenges that come with defending one’s reputation on a global stage and remains determined to define his story for the sake of his children and his legacy.
