Johnny Depp verdict: Actor’s popularity plummeted after Amber Heard trial, poll shows

Follow for the latest updates

Johnny Depp’s legal team deny ‘victory lap’ after defamation trial win

Johnny Depp emerged victorious in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard following three days of deliberations by the jury, which also handed Heard a partial win in her countersuit.

Depp sued Heard for $50m for implying he abused her in a 2018Washington Post op-ed. Although she didn’t name him, he claims her allegations impacted his ability to work. She pursued a $100m counterclaim.

The jury determined Heard defamed Depp on all three counts and awarded him $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2m compensatory damages.

When interviewed, Depp’s lawyers were asked about the possibility of dropping damages and said the case was never about money, but wouldn’t comment further.

The “humbled” actor thanked the jury for giving him his life back. He is currently playing gigs on a UK tour with Jeff Beck. Despite massive social media backing for Depp during the trial, a new poll suggests his popularity dropped after the verdict.

In a statement, Heard expressed “disappointment beyond words” and said she was heartbroken, claiming the verdict was a “setback” for women. She has decided to appeal the verdict and is “unable to pay” the damages.

Key points

• Johnny Depp launches TikTok account amid push for comeback
• ‘Humbled’ Depp thanks jury after defamation trial win
• What are Amber Heard’s options to appeal Johnny Depp verdict?
• Johnny Depp shares new message with fans following trial
• Depp’s legal team deny ‘victory lap’ after landmark win against Amber Heard
• Depp may drop damages claim against Heard if she stops appeal, lawyers suggest
• New data: Johnny Depp’s popularity drops following Amber Heard trial win

[10 June 2022 16:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Depp and Heard face uphill battle to rebuild images

After an explosive six-week libel trial followed by millions on social media and live TV, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard each face an uphill battle: trying to rebuild their images and careers.

Depp already has a head start, with a jury verdict Wednesday largely favoring his narrative, that his ex-wife defamed him by accusing him of abusing her.

“Depp has a hill to climb. Heard has a mountain to climb,” said Eric Dezenhall, a crisis mitigator in Washington with no involvement in the case.

[10 June 2022 16:37 · Oliver O'Connell]

Donald Trump Jr launches fresh social media attack on Amber Heard

Donald Trump Jr launched a social media attack on Amber Heard as his father was being publically skewered by the January 6 committee.

During a tense prime-time hearing on Thursday night, the House panel directly blamed former President Donald Trump for the 2021 insurrection, which they said was an “attempted coup”.

Mr Trump Jr apparently wasn’t paying attention to what was unfolding at the hearing, as took to Instagram to post an image with the words “believe all women? Really? All of them? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve Amber Heard”.

[10 June 2022 17:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Depp’s legal team deny ‘victory lap’ after landmark win against Heard

The legal team for Johnny Depp has denied the accusation from a spokesperson for Amber Heard who said the attorneys were taking a “victory lap” by making TV appearances following their client winning a blockbuster defamation case.

Attorneys Camile Vasquez and Ben Chew were grilled by Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday morning in one of their first televised interviews since their client emerged victorious in his defamation case against his ex-wife.

Johanna Chisholm reports:

[10 June 2022 17:24 · Oliver O'Connell]

New data: Johnny Depp’s popularity drops following Amber Heard trial win

Johnny Depp’s popularity has fallen among US adults, following his legal victory against ex-wife Amber Heard in a high-profile defamation trial.

Depp had sued Heard for $50m (£40m) for allegedly implying he abused her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed. She pursued a $100m (£80m) counterclaim.

After six weeks of testimony and three days of deliberation, on 1 June, the jury sided in favour of Depp, finding Heard liable for defamation.

While the Pirates of the Caribbean star’s overwhelming popularity on social media amid and after the trial painted a picture of rising favorability for Depp, the data tells a slightly different story.

Inga Parkel reports:

[10 June 2022 18:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Washington Post adds editor’s note to Amber Heard’s 2018 op-ed

Following the verdict in the dueling defamation suits filed by Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, the op-ed at the centre of his claim against her has been amended.

The Washington Post has added an editor’s note to the article bylined by Ms Heard and originally published in both print and online on 18 December 2018.

[10 June 2022 18:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

Courtroom notebook sells for $15k on eBay

No, really.

[10 June 2022 19:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Voices: Johnny Depp is dining out on his trial win in some truly distasteful ways

Harriet Williamson writes:

It’s all gravy in Deppland, and well it might be. The “global humiliation” he promised his ex-wife is complete. Abuse has rained down on her on every conceivable platform, blanketing social media like a biblical plague. Heard’s facial expressions, gestures and mannerisms have been dissected and rubbished by armchair detectives, her testimony mocked with filters and by TikTok users mimicking and mugging at the camera.

Forget locusts, darkness, hail, water turning to blood – try being an unpopular woman testifying against a popular man.

[10 June 2022 19:16 · Oliver O'Connell]

Actor Greg Ellis discusses the impact of the verdict on his friend Johnny Depp

[10 June 2022 20:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Camille Vasquez promoted to partner after trial success

Camille Vasquez has been elevated to partner at her firm Brown Rudnick following the key role she played as a member of Johnny Depp’s legal team during the defamation trial against Amber Heard.

Ms Vasquez became one of several unexpected celebrities at the trial through her tough cross-examination of witnesses and frequent objections to defence counsel questions.

[10 June 2022 21:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Johnny Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez shuts down dating rumours with actor

Johnny Depp‘s lawyer Camille Vasquez has once again shut down rumours that she is dating her client.

Depp’s supporters created memes portraying Vasquez as Marvel’s Thor, and even posted TikToks set to romantic music of the pair holding hands and talking closely.

In a recent interview with People, Vasquez addressed the fan and tabloid speculation over whether she was in a romantic relationship with the Pirates of The Caribbean star.

“I guess it comes with the territory of being a woman just doing her job,” she said.

“It’s disappointing that certain outlets kind of ran with it or said that my interactions with Johnny – who is a friend and I’ve known and represented for four-and-a-half years now – that my interactions in any way were inappropriate or unprofessional. That’s disappointing to hear.”