Johnny Depp thanks his fans for their support during the trial: ‘We did the right thing together’
Johnny Depp, in his newly created TikTok account sent a “thank you” post to his fans for standing by him in his defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard.
The mutual defamation trial between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard wrapped up 1 June when the jury hearing the lawsuits handed down their verdict. Although both were found liable for defamation, the decision was a victory for the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
Depp posted a “thank you” message to his “most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters” on his recently created TikTok account. While the actor feels vindicated and will “move forward,” a spokesperson for the “heartbroken” Heard said that while “he’s ‘moving forward,’ women’s rights are moving backward.”
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What did Johnny Depp say in his TikTok post?
Depp’s first post on his TikTok account was a video montage of his recent music tour with Jeff Beck in the United Kingdom. Accompanying the video, which was also posted to his Instagram account, reads as follows:
“To all of my most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters. We’ve been everywhere together, we have seen everything together. We have walked the same road together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared. And now, we will all move forward together. You are, as always, my employers and once again I am whittled down to no way to say thank you, other than just by saying thank you. So, thank you. My love & respect, JD.”
During the six-week trial Depp fans were extremely vocal over social media and traveled from across the country, at considerable expense, to be present in Fairfax, Virginia where the trial was held. Supporters even lined up in the wee hours of the morning to get a place in the courtroom to witness the public hearings.
Amber Heard says she will appeal the verdict
After Depp posted his gratitude to his fans a spokesperson for his ex-wife issued the following statement, “As Johnny Depp says he’s ‘moving forward,’ women’s rights are moving backward. The verdict’s message to victims of domestic violence is...be afraid to stand up and speak out.”
A day after the verdict, Heard’s lawyer Elaine Charlson Bredehoft confirmed that the Aquaman actress would appeal the verdict. The jury found in favor of Depp on all three defamation claims in the case against his ex-wife. While he had asked for $50 million in damages, his peers only awarded him $15 million. That was further reduced to $10.35 million due to a Virginia law capping punitive damages.
Of the three libel claims leveled against Depp in Heard’s countersuit, the jury agreed her ex-husband had committed one. She had asked for $100 million in damages but was only awarded $2 million. In a statement after the verdict was handed down she said, “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.”