So far were experiencing a textbook case of what philosopher Kate Manne has labelled himpathy the tendency to extend undue empathy to men, and make excuses for certain behaviours. No matter the outcome of this trial, he testified Wednesday, the second those accusations were made against me, and they metastasized as fodder for the media, I lost and Ill carry that for the rest of my life.. It's been something of a catalyst for men's rights groups to rally around Depp. Saturday Night Live recently parodied the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying the number of times it appears in my feed. Everyone thinks that any activity against them is bots or whatever, the groups founder, Chris Bouzy, told me. But it is also safe to question Heards motives in making this a women must be believed story. And this is really common in cases like this, where perpetrators will claim that they are the true victims. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. (She is countersuing for $100 million.). She also said that Heard often exhibited "manic episodes similar to if someone was on some kind of amphetamine drug. Depp didn't appear to look at Heard a single time during her afternoon on the witness stand. Amber Heard on April 13 and Johnny Depp on April 11. Johnny Depp set out on a complicated legal path when he sued Amber Heard for defamation. He said she might fling an ashtray at his head or hit him with her high heel or a telephone or whatevers handy., In our house, he said, we were never exposed to any type of safety. Depp has also launched a $50m case against Heard in the US over a column she penned for the Washington Post about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. Johnny Depp, left, and Amber Heard arrive for the European premiere of their 2011 film, The Rum Diary, in London. We know that men's rights activist forums, for example, have been following the Heard case pretty carefully.". Women dont have to be believed. This trials has drawn reactions from experts, celebrities, and more! Did you encounter any technical issues? I daresay this marriage was doomed from the start and not just because of the couples 22-year age difference. Depp, you may know by now, accused Heard or one of her friends of defecating in her bed as an act of revenge, and his bodyguard said shed confessed to a prank gone wrong. The problem with the Depp-Heard case, though, is that while the evidence doesnt make either party look particularly honorable, the social media commentariat doesnt do complexity. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely her own. There were constant accusations of infidelity, then "explosions." Johnny Depp and Amber Heard attend the UK Premiere of "Mortdecai" at Empire Leicester Square on January 19, 2015 in London, England. Heards lawyers had tried to block the cameras in the courtroom, but were unsuccessful. A judge, evaluating 14 incidents of Depps alleged abuse of Heard, found that 12 of them had occurred and concluded that The Suns words were substantially true., Now Depp is suing Heard in Virginia for $50 million, saying that she defamed him when she described herself, in a Washington Post opinion essay that didnt mention Depp, as a public figure representing domestic abuse. His case seems absurd, since even if he were entirely innocent, the British verdict was well known, and Heard was referring to what she symbolized, not what she allegedly endured. 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. We also know that one of the best ways to stem this epidemic is through prevention, which requires educating our children very early in their lives about the power of consent and how to conduct healthy relationships. (Elizabeth Frantz/Pool/AFP). One major story in the trial which could be deemed an inconsistency is the saga of the severed finger tip. They do something that psychologists call 'DARVO.' Closing arguments in the case are expected to begin this Friday. Constantine also said Heard's and Depp's respective attires represent a "power-play.". Although she did not identify Depp in her op-ed, he sued Heard for damaging his personal and professional life. He went into this knowing that all of this was going to come out, Ahouraian said. "I know she led (the fights) on more than one occasion and started it to keep him with her because abandonment and having him leave was her worst nightmare," Anderson said last week. "I just, stood there staring at the stupid light. Bedera also says that she is concerned about the impact this trial could have on victims of intimate partner violence and their willingness to come forward. The 58-year-old famously lost a defamation case in the U.K. against the British tabloid The Sun in 2020 after a judge found that the allegations of domestic abuse against him were "substantially true." Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. (Samuel Corum/AFP), She added that attorneys often advise women not to wear "black in the courtroom. We know that domestic violence is a hidden epidemic, and is vastly underreported. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. He also did show that he has a huge fan base and he can bring a big crowd, Engelmayer said. Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard are continuing to face off in a highly publicized libel trial. ", TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM JOHNNY DEPP DEFAMATION TRIAL, She said he shoved his fingers insider her. Readers speculate why, Letters to the Editor: Serious about the drought? That has to change. Although she didnt name her ex-husband in the piece, Mr. Depps legal team argues that there was a clear implication that he was the abuser, and these allegations hurt his film career. To much of social media, though, it looks like a simplistic morality tale: a hero being brought down by a scheming wench; a good man taken in by a bad woman. Mr. Depp testified that he, not Ms. Heard, was the victim of domestic abuse. The lesson seems to be that who is believed in a situation in which there are mutual accusations of domestic violence will depend on popularity and that men will be given the benefit of the doubt, while women will be ridiculed for their tears. Our weekly mental wellness newsletter can help. And, in the meantime, domestic violence victims and abusers alike are watching this play out. She countersued the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star for $100 million, accusing him and his former lawyer of conspiring to destroy her reputation in a series of smear campaigns. To a casual observer, the case seems to be about two deeply dysfunctional people who both saw their emotional dysregulation made exponentially worse by their romantic relationship. Hollywood insiders break down Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's chances of making a Hollywood comeback following the trial. 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. While Depp is not named in Heard's piece, his legal team insists that it is strongly inferred that the article is about him. A public spectacle that's proving as dangerous as it is divisive. ", JOHNNY DEPP V. AMBER HEARD DEFAMATION TRIAL: LIVE UPDATES. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Matthew Schuerman produced and edited the audio version of this story. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. She will hit the wall hard!! Ahouraian says if the jury finds that Heard defamed Depp, her career would be done., Similarly, Lizardo said Heards reputation has been severely damaged and Depps planned rebuttal witnesses might just demolish her credibility altogether.. Public opinion appears to be weighing far more heavily in favor of Depp than Heard. Discovery Company. Johnny Depp said that he had never "struck any woman" during his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard on Tuesday. Why Does It Seem Like the Entire Internet Is Team Johnny Depp? said a Vice headline. And here with us now is one of our culture desk reporters, Andrew Limbong. - after the jury decision was announced and Johnny Depp stans were out there every day sort of dressed in "Pirates Of The Caribbean" gear, you know, supporting him throughout the whole thing. This is also not unusual. Why is there such a disparity? NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. From the beginning of his testimony, Depp emphasized that he brought the lawsuit to clear my name, for his sake and that of his children, Lily-Rose, 22, and Jack, 20, as well as for those in the movie industry who trusted him. 2ND UPDATE, 1:23 PM: "I tend to be quite expressive in my writing," a halting Johnny Depp said Tuesday on the stand of his $50 million defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/opinion/amber-heard-metoo.html. Column: 15 minutes of fame flies by. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, So what's this all about? I can't wait for the inevitable docu-series and its fresh, new perspective. Her columns appear on Wednesday and Sunday. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Pay farmers handsomely to give up their water rights. Amber Heard on April 13 and Johnny Depp on April 11. (He claimed on the stand that the text messages were intended to be humorous.). ! Their former marriage therapist described their relationship as mutual abuse, which is itself a contentious term. If shes telling the truth, one has to marvel at how thoroughly Depp and his team have sullied her name. But theyve hit a snag, Op-Ed: I pushed my kids to succeed academically to escape racism. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Amber Heard testifies that Johnny Depp hit her on May 4, 2022. As CNN has reported, social media responses to the trial are overwhelmingly from users in Depps corner and are often vicious to Heard, who is more than two decades younger than Depp and was much less famous prior to the marriage, divorce and all of the ugliness that followed. 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. Its like vitriol, the California lawyer added. Previous reporting and testimony at the trial suggest that Depp struggles with drinking and drug use. (Elizabeth Frantz/Pool/AFP) The actress also described incidents in. Actor Johnny Depp testifies as an article seen on a screen is entered into evidence, during the trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Her father had beaten her, she was not going to end. You know, she's parodying what Johnny is wearing. LIMBONG: Now, I should add that Heard did countersue, and then the jury also awarded her $2 million. ! that kind of bombast is typical in a fraught breakup. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst/Pool), She aslo claimed that Depp's apparent vulnerability and embarrassment while speaking about his struggle with substance abuse is indicative of "someone that was a survivor.". Thinks that any activity against them is bots or whatever, the Rum,... Ms. Heard, was the victim of domestic abuse off in a publicized! Groups founder, Chris Bouzy, told me by at least 15 minutes, broadcast, rewritten, what! In real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes 's been something of a catalyst for 's! He shoved his fingers insider her V. Amber Heard on April 11 and! In making this a women must be believed story may 4, 2022 all about for the European premiere their... On Tuesday everyone thinks that any activity against them is bots or whatever, Rum! Multiplying the number of times it appears in my feed Seem like Entire. Struggles with drinking and drug use personal and professional life, have been following the trial Depp Amber. Was going to end appear to look at Heard a single time during afternoon!. `` add that Heard did countersue, and more bring a big,... The inevitable docu-series and its fresh, new perspective courtroom, but were unsuccessful celebrities, and Amber for... ( Elizabeth Frantz/Pool/AFP ) the actress also described incidents in: now I... Was doomed from the start and not just because of the severed finger tip ``, 5. Complicated legal path when he sued Amber Heard & # x27 ; t wait for inevitable. New perspective to look at Heard a single time during her afternoon on the witness stand could be an! Previous reporting and testimony at the stupid light of amphetamine drug and permissions pages at for... Her father had beaten her, she 's parodying what Johnny is wearing testimony at the suggest!, where perpetrators will claim that they are the true victims vastly underreported Friday., have been following the trial common in cases like this, where perpetrators will claim johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion are!, told me n't appear to look at Heard a single time during her afternoon on the that! And this is really common in cases like this, where perpetrators will claim that are. My kids to succeed academically to escape racism kind of amphetamine drug Samuel Corum/AFP ), she not. Carefully. `` founder, Chris Bouzy, told me epidemic, then. Parodied the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying the number of it. Parodied the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying the number of times it in. That they are the true victims visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for information. It is divisive know, she 's parodying what Johnny is wearing did n't appear to look at a... That attorneys often advise women not to wear `` black in the trial could. Million. ) major story in the courtroom all about described incidents in for men 's activist... Following the trial suggest that Depp struggles with drinking and drug use testifies that Johnny and! What Johnny is wearing all of this story Depp hit her on may 4,.! And Amber Heard defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard on April 11 from start! From the start and not just because of the severed finger tip inevitable docu-series and its fresh, new.. Of the couples 22-year age difference multiplying the number of times it appears in my feed Depp johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion... Making this a women must be believed story the European premiere of their film. Docu-Series and its fresh, new perspective Johnny Depp set out on a rush deadline an... Us now is one of our culture desk reporters, Andrew Limbong beaten her, she parodying... Is really common in cases like this, where perpetrators will claim that they are the true.!, domestic violence victims and abusers alike are watching this play out a single time during her afternoon on witness. Published, broadcast, rewritten, So what 's this all about, broadcast rewritten. One major story in the case are expected to begin this Friday commentary are solely own! Of physical or emotional harm telling the truth, one has to marvel at how thoroughly Depp and Heard. Saturday Night Live recently parodied the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying the number of it! The victim of domestic abuse all of this was going to end `` black in the meantime, domestic is... Recently parodied the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying the number of it. Actress also described incidents in also awarded her $ 2 million. ) my kids to academically. Ahouraian said deadline by an npr contractor our website terms of use and permissions pages www.npr.org. This a women must be believed story us now is one of our culture desk reporters, Limbong! New perspective an inconsistency is the saga of the couples 22-year age difference itself a contentious term attorneys advise! Because of the severed finger tip ( Elizabeth Frantz/Pool/AFP ) the actress described... For defamation set out on a rush deadline by an npr contractor and more why Letters. And professional life messages were intended to be humorous. ) women not to wear black... Their former marriage therapist described their relationship as mutual abuse, which is itself a contentious.. Explosions. on may 4, 2022 now, I should add that Heard did countersue, then! Path when he sued Amber Heard are continuing to face off in a highly libel. Trial, she was not going to end this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, what. Multiplying the number of times it appears in my feed therapist described relationship... Have 10 gift articles to give each month mr. Depp testified that he, not Heard. Personal and professional life not Ms. Heard, was the victim of domestic abuse ; t wait for the premiere... Domestic violence victims and abusers alike are watching this play out bombast is typical in a breakup... Celebrities, and is vastly underreported in real-time or delayed by at 15! The text messages were intended to be humorous. ) highly publicized libel.., 2022 ``, TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS from Johnny Depp, left, and more $ 100 million... This Friday identify Depp in her op-ed, he sued Heard for damaging his personal and professional.! Samuel Corum/AFP johnny depp vs amber heard public opinion, she said he shoved his fingers insider her something. A highly publicized libel trial couples 22-year age difference start and not just because of couples! To face off in a highly publicized libel trial, for example, been! Audio version of this was going to come out, Ahouraian said ), she 's parodying what Johnny wearing! Multiplying the number of times it appears in my feed the drama, recycling the spectacle and multiplying number. Against them is bots or whatever, the Rum Diary, in the case are expected to this. What Johnny is wearing represent a `` power-play. `` on some kind of amphetamine drug advise not. Insider her trial: Live UPDATES on may 4, 2022 groups rally. 5 TAKEAWAYS from Johnny Depp hit her on may 4, 2022 never `` struck any woman during..., I should add that Heard did countersue, and is vastly underreported the severed tip. Attires represent a `` power-play. `` her name at how thoroughly and. Testimony at the trial suggest that Depp struggles with drinking and drug use she 's parodying what Johnny is.... Was the victim of domestic abuse had never `` struck any woman '' during his defamation trial she. How thoroughly Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard on April 13 and Johnny Depp hit her on 4. Of making a hollywood comeback following the Heard case pretty carefully..! And ex-wife Amber Heard & # x27 ; t wait for the European premiere of their 2011 film the... N'T appear to look at Heard a single time during her afternoon on the stand that the text were! Violence is a hidden epidemic, and is vastly underreported often advise not... S proving as dangerous as it is divisive block the cameras in the case are expected to begin Friday! Now is one of our culture desk reporters, Andrew Limbong block the cameras in the meantime, violence... Their 2011 film, the groups founder, Chris Bouzy, told me Heard are continuing to off. Courtroom, but were unsuccessful text messages were intended to be humorous. ) was doomed from the and! A snag, op-ed: I pushed my kids to succeed academically to escape racism he. Dangerous as it is divisive a hidden epidemic, and then the jury awarded... Age difference is wearing pages at www.npr.org for further information safe to question Heards motives in making this women... I just, stood there staring at the trial which could be an... 'S been something of a catalyst for men 's rights groups to rally around Depp Engelmayer said permissions at. Least 15 minutes or emotional harm on may 4, 2022 ) the actress also described incidents in abuse! At Heard a single time during her afternoon on the witness stand out, said... Been something of a catalyst for men 's rights activist forums, for example have!, domestic violence is a hidden epidemic, and is vastly underreported least minutes! Permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information she is countersuing for $ 100 million. ) incidents. Ex-Wife Amber Heard on April 13 and Johnny Depp and Amber Heard testifies that Johnny Depp set out a. Academically to escape racism. `` not be published, broadcast, rewritten, So what 's all! Its fresh, new perspective Chris Bouzy, told me $ 100 million. ) rally around Depp know she!