THE PERFECT STORM
Johnny Depp + Amber Heard Unhinged
Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard spent most of July in London’s High Court of Justice for a libel trial. In 2018 an article in the tabloid newspaper The Sun referred to Depp as a “wife-beater,” which he vehemently denies. What started as a libel case quickly became a vile display of depravity. The showdown was a graphic and embarrassing spectacle and so cringe-worthy it will take a wizard to repair Depp’s leading man reputation.
Depp was a bankable movie star. Back in 2010, he was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, according to Forbes, earning $75 million and his films raked in more than $10 billion worldwide. He was a teen heartthrob in the late ’80s with 21 Jump Street and was able to transform to the big screen with iconic roles in Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and the blockbuster franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. He also earned three academy award nominations along the way.
Depp’s hard-partying lifestyle has never been a secret. In 1994 he was arrested for trashing a hotel room at New York’s Mark Hotel where he stayed with his then-girlfriend Kate Moss. Perhaps the bad boy persona had its allure when Depp was a young Hollywood star, but movie industry moguls or fans won’t forget this trial and the allegations.
The accusations from both camps are devastating and could unravel their careers for good. Heard claims Depp threatened to “kill me many times,” wrapped his shirt around her throat during their honeymoon and alleges he slapped her for laughing at his “Wino Forever” tattoo. Threatening texts from Depp and photos of Heard’s bruised face did not bode well for the actor.
Depp accuses Heard of severing his finger with a vodka bottle after his lawyer asked her to sign a post-nuptial agreement. He admitted they had a tumultuous relationship during a time he was trying to sober up, but denies allegations of domestic abuse and said his “sociopathic” ex was the violent one during their marriage. He also claims she was involved with other men, including James Franco and Elon Musk. Depp testified for five days and the big reveal (and most disgusting) was that Heard or her friend defecated in their bed. That’s right; she allegedly left him a turd. Depp said that’s when he decided to divorce Heard. She denies this and blamed their Yorkshire teacup terriers for the poo. This bit of evidence, unfortunately, can not be unseen.
Heard counted on her friend #metoo activist Amanda de Cadenet to testify as a witness for The Sun. De Cadenet had a change of heart after hearing audio tapes of Heard admitting to slugging Depp in the jaw and verbally abusing him. She felt her friend misled her.
The volatile couple now waits for the verdict, which is not expected before September. If Judge Nicol rules in Depp’s favor, it will exonerate him from claims he assaulted Heard. If the decision goes against the actor, he will be deemed a “wife-beater” in an English court of law. But it doesn’t end there. Depp is suing his ex-wife for $50 million in Virginia over a Washington Post column she authored about domestic violence. Once again, all those sordid details could be rehashed for public consumption. Whatever happened to rich people settling out of court with a non-disclosure agreement? Does anyone care about their dirty laundry? Both literally and figuratively.
