Johnny Depp is speaking out about the emotional toll of his high-profile defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, revealing how the experience left him feeling betrayed by those he once considered close friends.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star, whose career faced significant setbacks following Heard’s public allegations of domestic abuse, recently opened up to The Times of London about the personal fallout he endured during the height of the #MeToo movement.
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Depp’s reputation came under fire after Heard published a 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post, in which she described herself as a victim of domestic violence. Though she didn’t name Depp directly, the implications were clear, and the actor responded by filing a defamation lawsuit in 2019. Heard countersued, setting the stage for one of the most publicized celebrity trials in recent memory.
After weeks of courtroom drama, emotional testimonies, and widespread media coverage, the jury largely sided with Depp. He was awarded $15 million in damages, while Heard was granted $2 million in her countersuit. Now, Depp is reflecting on what hurt the most during that turbulent period—and it wasn’t just the allegations.
“I’ll tell you what hurts. There are people, and I’m thinking of three, who did me dirty,” Depp told The Times. “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.”
The Edward Scissorhands actor went on to describe how he became a symbolic target of the #MeToo movement, likening his experience to being a test subject. “I was like a crash test dummy for MeToo, … and I sponged it, took it all in,” he said.
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Depp further criticized the entertainment industry for prioritizing public image and performative activism over truth and loyalty. “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!’” he added.
Though he has largely kept a low profile since the trial’s conclusion, Depp’s latest comments reveal that the scars from the ordeal—both personal and professional—still linger. As he continues to rebuild his career, his story remains a prominent example of how celebrity, public opinion, and cultural movements can collide with profound consequences.