Amber Heard has stated that she never provoked violence against Johnny Depp and stands by her account. In her first interview after Depp’s victory, she stated that she understood why people may believe this to be “Hollywood brats at their worst,” but that the issue is “larger than that.”
The actress stated that she will stick by the testimony she gave in court in Fairfax, Virginia until her “dying day,” despite the jury deciding in favor of Johnny Depp and concluding that a column she wrote about domestic abuse was libelous after hearing six weeks of evidence.
When asked if she believes Depp’s assertion that he never hit Heard is false, she said, “Yes, I do.”
Depp, 59 years old, has denied abusing Heard.
She addressed her conduct during their relationship, saying, “I did and said terrible, awful things during our relationship. I exhibited horrific, almost unrecognizable behavior. So much regret.
“I have freely, publicly, and voluntarily discussed my actions. I discussed the foul language and how I was pushed to the point where I did not know the difference between right and wrong.
“I will always feel as though I was a part of this, as though I was the other half of this partnership – because I was. And it was ugly but could have been attractive.
“It was quite hazardous. We were horrible to one another. I committed a multitude of errors, a multitude of errors. I have always been truthful.
When told that some members of the public have been “frankly horrified” by what transpired in court, Heard responded, “Absolutely, I would not blame the average person for looking at this and how it has been covered and not concluding that these are Hollywood’s worst brats.
“However, what many do not realize is that it is truly far larger than that. It is not merely about our freedom to free speech under the First Amendment.”
However, Guthrie interjected to state that the First Amendment protects free expression, but not “falsehoods that constitute defamation, which was the issue in this case.”
Heard, 36, also responded to evidence suggesting she was violent during her relationship with Depp.
She stated, “I never had to initiate it.” “I reacted to it. When violence is a way of life, it becomes normalized. As I have testified, you must adjust.”
The first half of the interview aired on Tuesday, following a teaser the day prior. In it, Heard explained that she understood why jurors had trusted Depp over her, characterizing him as “a beloved persona and people feel they know him.” She also claimed that she was depicted as a “person without credibility” during the trial.
The court case concluded on 1 June, following six weeks of testimony, with the jury determining that an article Heard wrote for the Washington Post in 2018 about her purported experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse was defamatory against Depp.
The actor was granted damages of $10.35m (£8.2m).
Heard did prevail on one count of her counter-suit, arguing successfully that one of Depp’s attorneys defamed her by claiming her charges were “a #MeToo-driven abuse fabrication.”
A jury awarded her $2 million in damages (£1.5 million)
During his testimony, Depp denied abusing Heard and described his ex-claims wives of domestic abuse as “heinous and unsettling.”
He claimed to be “obsessed” with uncovering the truth about what transpired during their connection.
“I thought it was my duty to clear my identity and my children’s from this horrible stuff they had to read about their father,” he explained. “My purpose is the truth since it devastated me that people I’d met over the years… thought I was a con artist and had lied to them.”
Later in the trial, when asked what it was like to hear Heard’s testimony, Depp stated, “It’s ridiculous to hear terrible claims of violence and sexual assault that she’s attributed to me and that I’ve been accused of.
“I don’t believe anyone appreciates having to expose oneself and reveal the truth, but there are times when it’s necessary because things have gotten out of hand.”
He then stopped before exclaiming, “Awful. Ridiculous. Humiliating. Ludicrous. Painful. Savage. Unimaginably nasty, cruel, and dishonest in every way All fake.”
After presenting all the evidence in court, Depp was not there for the judgment, instead touring the United Kingdom with musician Jeff Beck.
Following the verdict, his attorneys also appeared on the Today show and Good Morning America in the United States.
Elaine Bredehoft, one of Heard’s attorneys, stated that she intends to file an appeal.
On Wednesday, the second portion of the actress’s interview will air.
