RETALIATION: Johnny Depp sues ex-wife, Amber Heard, for fifty million dollars after announcing that he was abused by her.
By Clare O’Brien, Staff Writer
Since his first appearance in Nightmare on Elm Street, Johnny Depp has become a leading figure in American home movies, playing memorable roles as Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow. His deadpan, sarcastic comedy and wholesome personality made him loved by many all across the country, and the abuse allegations against him in May 2016 shocked America. The previous year, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard married, beginning a rocky marriage that ended in May 2016. When Heard accused Depp of being domestically abusive, Depp denied the allegations and their divorce was settled for seven million dollars in August 2016. Although Depp denied the allegations, many sided with Heard, who became a figurehead in the #MeToo movement. Heard was named Human Rights Champion of the United Nations Human Rights Office, and was appointed ambassador of women’s rights at the American Civil Liberties Union. However, in March 2019, Depp revealed that not only were Heard’s allegations false but that he actually faced domestic abuse during their marriage.
This announcement shocked the public and many people began siding with Depp, fighting for their favorite actor. Depp announced he is suing Heard for compensatory and punitive damages with a settlement of 50 million dollars. With a submission of 87 videos and claims, Depp gained the support of police and other third parties. Perhaps the most damaging attack was when Heard threw a vodka bottle at Depp, causing a large cut in his finger. Depp has stated that he feels as though he has sufficient evidence, believing he will find justice in his case.
As well as feeling remorse and sympathy for Depp’s situation, many activists are largely angered by Heard’s lies. Many people who attempt to silence domestic abuse survivors claim that “women always lie to get attention” and now Heard has only fed into this idea. Heard, being a figurehead for the #MeToo movement was seen as distasteful due to the fact that she fought for women in her alleged situation when she was in fact adding to the problem behind closed doors. Although it is statistically more common for women to be domestically abused, it does happen to men, and neither gender should be silenced.