Johnny Depp GQ cover criticised for glamourising domestic abuse
The cover is accompanied by an 8,000-word interview
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British GQ has come under fire for putting Johnny Depp on its November 2018 cover, marking two years since the actor was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Describing the actor as “an outlaw” in a cover line, the magazine has been accused of glamourising and belittling the allegations against him.
In May 2016, Heard accused Depp of throwing an iPhone at her face amid other allegations of physical and emotional abuse, which he denied; the couple’s divorce was finalised in January last year.
The cover is accompanied by an in-depth interview conducted at Depp’s lavish home in the south of France, in which the actor refutes allegations of violence, saying: “it couldn’t even sound like me.”
"The thing that hurt me is being presented as something that you’re really as far away from as you could possibly get, you know?" he adds.
The 8,000-word profile, which goes into detail regarding Depp’s idiosyncratic home and clothing, has been labelled “dangerous” and “dismissive” on social media.
Many have taken issue with the magazine’s descriptions of Depp as “vulnerable” and “aggrieved”, arguing that such adjectives present him as a victim.
“Can’t believe I have to say this @britishgq but being accused of domestic violence does not make you cool,” tweeted journalist Anna Leskiewicz.
“It does not make you an ‘outlaw’. It does not make you a sexy, conflicted hero. It does not mean you know ‘torment’. It does not lead you to the “sordid beautiful truth”.
“Johnny Depp is not a movie character, he is a real person accused of much distress, disorder, and domestic violence,” added writer Hannah Flint.
“Stop dramatising his behaviour as though he is some sort of misunderstood hero. He's not.”
Others have accused the interviewer of being negligent by not disputing the 55-year-old actor’s claims regarding how Heard’s allegations unfolded: “How could someone, anyone, come out with something like that against someone, when there’s no truth to it whatsoever?” he says.
“Everything about this is totally off key,” wrote journalist Vicky Spratt on Twitter, “it doesn’t challenge Depp at all and winks at the fact he was accused of DV by his ex wife with lines like ‘this isn’t a piece of investigative reporting. It is… a chance to sit down and talk to a person of immense interest and talent’,”.
One person pointed out that the timing of the cover feels particularly disconcerting, given that it falls on the anniversary of #MeToo, marking a year since sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein emerged, prompting the global movement encouraging women to share their stories of harassment and abuse.
Commenting on the cover and its subsequent criticism, Katie Ghose, chief executive of domestic violence charity Women's Aid, described it as an example of accused powerful men being given a platform to express innocence while undermining the credibility of alleged female victims.
“Journalists aren’t responsible for passing judgment in cases of domestic abuse, only a court of law can do that," she adds in a statement.
"However, they do have a responsibility to use their influence for the greater good.
"The media has a responsibility not to fuel this backlash against the #MeToo movement but recognise the unequal power dynamics in these cases and make sure alleged victims’ voices are heard as loud and clear as the powerful men they put in their pages.”
A legal representative for Heard has responded to the interview in a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter (THR), describing it as “outrageous” and accusing Depp of “psychological abuse”.
"If GQ had done even a basic investigation into Mr. Depp’s claims, it would have quickly realised that his statements are entirely untrue,” the statement reads.
“Mr. Depp has blatantly disregarded the parties’ confidentiality agreement and yet has refused to allow Ms. Heard to respond to his baseless allegations, despite repeated requests that she be allowed to do so.”
Meanwhile, THR reports that Depp’s lawyer has responded to Heard’s counsel by saying that the actor “is simply defending himself against Ms Heard’s lingering false abuse accusations,” in a statement which also describes Depp as “the abuse victim.”
Heard was famously paid a settlement of $7 million (£5.4 million) by Depp following the allegations, which she pledged to donate to two charities.
The Independent has contacted British GQ for comment.
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