By Mark Gray
1:00pm PDT, Jun 5, 2022
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The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial captured the attention of pop culture and legal enthusiasts thanks to viral moments, bombshell claims, a television audience and unusual witnesses (remember the guy vaping and driving DURING his testimony?!). When the trial began in April 2022, many in Hollywood refrained from commenting, but several top-line celebrities weighed in as the case continued into May and June, when a jury found that both made defamatory statements about the other — however, Johnny was the clear victor, as he won all three defamation counts against his ex-wife, while she won one against him based on a comment made by one of his lawyers. The actor was awarded $15 million in damages, although Virginia law will drop that figure down to $8.35 million.
During the trial and after the verdict, celebrities publicly took sides — keep reading to see who supported Johnny and who supported Amber…
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"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband," Amber Heard said in a statement after the verdict was delivered. "I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously. I believe Johnny's attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK. I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly."
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"Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye," Johnny Depp said in a statement after the verdict was read. "False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled." He continued, "My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought. From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that. I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media." The actor went on to thank the jury, the court and his legal team. He added, "The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun. Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."
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"I hope they both move on. At their best, they are each incredible" –Elon Musk, who once dated Amber Heard
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After Kate Moss testified that Johnny Depp "never" abused her, Naomi Campbell shared her fellow supermodel's words to her Instagram Story. Clearly showing her support for both Johnny and Kate, Naomi wrote, "YES WAGON TELL IT!!" alongside a headline referencing the testimony. After the verdict, Naomi posted several heart emojis on Johnny's Instagram.
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"Johnny Depp #truthwins" –Gina Carano
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"Wow, it wasn't what I was expecting. I mean, I wanted Johnny to win but I didn't expect him to." –Sharon Osbourne told Piers Morgan
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"Believe all women… except Amber Heard. $15,000,000 in compensatory and punitive damages to Depp, and perhaps a case that could end the effective rabid femminist notion that all men are guilty before being proven innocent that we've seen as of late. She's just that terrible!" –Donald Trump Jr.
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After the verdict came in, comedian Amy Schumer alluded to being supportive of Amber Heard as she posted a Gloria Steinem quote on Instagram: "Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke . . . She will need her sisterhood. @gloriasteinem"
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During a May 30 giveaway for Redline Steel, Dolph Lundgren was asked about working with Amber Heard on "Aquaman," and he had nothing but pleasant things to say. "She was great. I worked with her on the first 'Aquaman,' now the second one. We shot last fall in London," he said. "She's terrific, I had a great experience with her. She's very kind, nice to the crew, nice to everybody, just down to earth. She had her newborn baby with her on set with the nanny which was kind of cute."
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Meghan McCain was not willing to take a sides early on, but she said she knew that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are a disastrous couple and never should have gotten married. "If there is any truth to any of it, Depp and Heard had one of the most toxic, dysfunctional, and violent relationships since Sid and Nancy," she wrote on DailyMail.com on April 29, referring to the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious and girlfriend Nancy Spungen, whom the bassist was accused of killing. In her lengthy column, Meghan said she thinks people are too quick to jump to conclusions. "The American public and Hollywood at large is overwhelmingly taking Depp's side in the court of public opinion before Heard has even taken the stand," she wrote. "We should never have blindly believed Heard's accusations and stood by while Depp was stripped of his career and we should not make up for it now by automatically siding against Heard." She added, "The lesson we should take from all of this is that due process is essential, and we must 'trust but verify' when the lives, careers and reputations of both sides hang in the balance." After the verdict, she tweeted, "#MeToo is dead."
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After the verdict, Ashley Benson posted a photo of Johnny Depp to her Instagram, writing, "YESSSSS."
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"With all that's going on, America is obsessed with this trial. The people who a month ago were posting the Ukrainian flag, now it's the poop emoji," Bill Maher said on "Real Time" on May 20. He later added, "America right now is the Johnny Depp Amber/Heard trial. People are obsessed for two reasons, and one is because it absolutely mirrors this country, two parties who absolutely hate each other… My other theory is I feel like he's riding the crest of a backlash to excessive woke-ism. Finally somebody stood up and said, 'I'm not just going to tuck my tail between my legs and crawl away.' I don't know who did what, but I feel like people like this." In referring to the #MeToo movement, the host added, "Women did not lose the ability to lie in 2017. People are people, yes, and all women should be taken seriously for any accusation, but they have not lost the ability to lie."
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Courtney Love walked back her initial comments about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, insisting she was "wrong" to weigh in. On May 19, the Hole singer said in an Instagram video that she supported Johnny but empathized with Amber. "Johnny gave me CPR in 1995 when I overdosed outside the Viper Room with Sal. Johnny, when I was on crack and [my daughter] Frances was having to suffer through that with social workers, wrote her a four-page letter that she's never showed me on her 13th birthday. He didn't really know me," she said in the video posted to a friend's account. After telling Johnny she loved him, she added, "I've been the most hated woman in America. I've been the most hated woman in the world, before TikTok, and it's really a lot of empathy for what that must feel like for Amber… I think we should have less schadenfreude and more empathy for all concerned." However, a few days later, Courtney said she spoke out of turn and claimed the aforementioned video was "accidentally" posted. "I want to show neutral support for a friend. I dont want to bully," she said. "The only important takeaway, of what was posted, is that I expressed that we should all stop having 'fun with schadenfraude' (look it up: 'Delight in another's down fall') & show sincere empathy for both parties. If I hurt anyone, please accept my amends."
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"Believe all women, believe all women except Amber Heard," Chris Rock reportedly said during a comedy set in London in May 2022. "Once you s*** in someone's bed, you just guilty of everything."
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"Johnny Depp looks like a hero only in a relationship with Amber Heard," Bethenny Frankel said on her "Just B with Bethenny Frankel" podcast on May 19. She joked that Johnny is going to be "anointed Gandhi and the pope because he was in a relationship with the craziest woman that's walked this planet, so now he's sainted. I'm sure Queen Elizabeth is calling him being like, 'Come here, I wanna give you a knighthood because you're now the hero in this crazy villain story.' It doesn't make any sense. Johnny Depp plus anyone besides Amber Heard is a raving, [MDMA], cocaine, s***-in-bed-tolerating man."
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"Johnny Depp has not been charged or tried in a court of law. He is beloved in the industry. Amber Heard knew exactly what she was doing when she set out on legal maneuvers 6 years ago. She is universally detested in the industry. She is on trial ~ a jury will decide her fate," tweeted Greg Elliis, who starred in "Pirates of the Caribbean" with Johnny. He added, "I'm proud to have very publicly stood beside Johnny Depp for 6 years during his very public defenestration. Integrity is earned in turmoil, not merely asserted in comfort. I love you brother. As does your family, friends & millions of supporters around the world."
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"This will eventually go in Amber Heard's favor. It'll take a while, but it will" –Kathy Griffin
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"The thing is, I know women who are exactly like this. They are manipulative and cold and they use their very womanhood to play victim and turn the world against the man because we live in a society where it's cool to say men are all the worst and blah blah… Men can experience abuse too and this absolute disaster of a human being Amber Heard is a terrible person and I hope Johnny gets his reputation and his life back. And I hope he's in like 5 Pirates movies." –Ireland Baldwin wrote on her Instagram Story in April
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"I have no doubt Johnny will emerge with his good name and wonderful heart revealed to the world, and life will be better than it ever was for him and his family" –Eva Green, who starred in "Dark Shadows" with Johnny Depp
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"Since Heard-Depp is being shoved down everyone's digital throats, the only clear thing is that no one commenting on any side knows either of these people or what happened. Like at all. At all, at all. It's celebrity projection at its worst." –Alex Winter
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"Has anybody been watching the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial? What a lovely couple. First of all, Johnny sued her for writing an article in a tiny 'outlet,' that practically nobody read, because he didn't want to get bad publicity," Donald Trump wrote on social media, referring to the Washington Post, where Amber wrote the op-ed piece at the center of the trial. He added, "How did that work out? She countersued for $100 million. The charges are many & salacious, the nicest of which is that she threw a bottle at him and it took off his finger – She must have a Sandy Koufax type arm. Will they get back together and live happily in PEACE?"
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"I don't quite understand this trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. It seems just like a s*** show. Can't quite figure out how it helps either one of them. Just seems like a typical day in the life of an extremely talented drug addict and an extremely beautiful narcissist." –Kirstie Alley
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Julia Fox stands with Amber Heard. "She never had the power in the relationship to be abusive to him. Did she hit him? Yes. Was it abuse? No. You need to have power to be able to abuse it," Julia commented on Instagram. "She was 25. He clearly was always way more powerful including physically and financially."
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Aubrey O'Day was not happy with the reason for Julia Fox's support of Amber Heard. "Trash take from Julia Fox. Plenty of broke, short, skinny, non-famous people have abused their partner," she commented. "Abuse is simply cruel and violent treatment of a person. Power not being a necessary factor. Less powerful ppl abuse their more powerful partner out of jealousy all the time."
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"I'm not saying Amber Heard seems like she's acting on the witness stand, but after her last testimony I swear think I heard her lawyer say 'Cut!'" –Larry The Cable Guy
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Paul McCartney appeared to support Johnny Depp during a concert in Seattle, Washington, on May 3. While performing his song "My Valentine," the former Beatle played the music video for the track, which features the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star.
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During the early days of the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, Drew Barrymore had some thoughts. "It's like one layer of crazy, it's a seven-layer dip of insanity. I know that these are two people's real lives and I know what it's like to have your life put out in public," she said on her talk show. "I understand all the feelings, but they are actually offering up this information." After the comment, she received criticism. So on May 1, she took to her Instagram Story to apologize. "It has come to my attention that I have offended people with making light of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and for that I just want to deeply apologize and appreciate everyone who spoke out because this can be a teachable moment for me and how I move forward and how I conduct myself," she said in a video. "I can be a more thoughtful and better person moving forward because all I want to do is be a good person and I very much appreciate the depth of this and I will grow and change from it, and I thank everyone for helping me grow along the way and teaching me."
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Bill Burr said on his "Monday Morning Podcast" that he's "too big" of a Johnny Depp fan to watch the trial, but he likes that the actor is standing up for himself. "What's great about this is if he really does expose this woman for lying. I'm wondering if all these people that, you know, just accepted her lies about him, if they're going to apologize somehow," the comedian said, making it clear he believes Johnny has been "publicly trashed" by Amber's allegations. "It really does amaze me how the pendulum just does not seem to swing the other way," Bill added. "All of these women's groups that when they see a woman that lies like this, which really hurts their position, because there are women out there that are in a relationship that this woman evidently lied and claimed that she was in. And for someone to go out and lie about it, it hurts the people that are actually in it! You would think they would cover this."
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Howard Stern thinks Johnny Depp wanted this trial to be televised because the actor is a "narcissist." On "The Howard Stern Show" on April 25, the radio host said the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star was "overacting" while on the witness stand. "On the narcissism scale, I think Johnny Depp is a huge narcissist — and what I mean by that is, he figured 'I'll put this on TV. And because I'm so persuasive and I'm so smart, and I'm such a wonderful guy,'" Howard said. The self-described "King of All Media" believes that decision to allow cameras in the courtroom will backfire. "But that's what narcissists do: 'I will charm the pants off of America at the trial.' No you won't. This will not go well," he said. "It's not going well for you, it's not going well for her. It's not going well for anybody. You sound like two battling children. It's just coming off really badly."
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On his hugely popular podcast on April 26, Joe Rogan clearly sided with Johnny Depp, calling Amber Heard a "crazy lady." "I'm watching this trial, and like, it's a cautionary tale about believing in bulls***, forming a narrative in your head," Joe said. He even used the word "manipulative" when describing the "Aquaman" actress. The former "Fear Factor" host is also convinced that Amber's claims that the actor abused her are "not true." In the end, Joe thinks Johnny will come out looking like a hero. "This is a big win for Johnny Depp," he said. "And a big loss for 'Pirates of the Caribbean!' … You got rid of the best f****** pirate you ever had! For a crazy lady!"
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On April 27, Ricki Lake posted a throwback picture with Johnny Depp, with whom she worked on the 1990 film "Crybaby." "I absolutely adored #JohnnyDepp when I worked w/ him on #crybaby," she wrote alongside the Twitter picture. "He was kind, funny, inclusive, professional, a joy. Haven't been following trial as I have been consumed w/ my sick & dying beloved dog, Mama. He was soft spoken, gentle and I loved him. #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeard."
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Back in 2016, "The Walking Dead" star Laurie Holden defended Johnny Depp on Twitter after Amber Heard filed for divorce. At the time, pop culture website Uproxx openly questioned whether Laurie should have dove into the Depp case. On April 17, nearly six years after her initial tweet, Laurie stood firm, saying she's "glad" she defended the actor. "Would do it again in a heartbeat. Just happy that 6 years later the world is finally catching up," she wrote. "The truth is now being revealed and there will be justice. #JusticeForJohnnyDeep."
