Amber Heard addressed the conclusion of her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp in her first interview since the jury passed down its verdict.
As reported by Variety, Heard spoke with Savannah Guthrie on an episode of Today, which is scheduled to air on Tuesday and Wednesday on NBC. The Aquaman star explained her feelings regarding Depp's victory, stating that she understands why the jury sided with the Pirates of the Caribbean star. "I don’t blame them," Heard said. "I actually understand. He’s a beloved character and people feel they know him. He’s a fantastic actor."
Despite sympathizing with the decision, Heard went on to state that she still believes that she was unfairly represented across social media. "But even somebody who is sure I’m deserving of all this hate and vitriol, even if you think that I’m lying, you still couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me that you think on social media there’s been a fair representation," Heard said. "You cannot tell me that you think that this has been fair." During the court case, Heard claimed that both she and her child were harassed and sent death threats by Depp's supporters.
Ahead of the televised appearance, a spokesperson for Heard issued a statement regarding the intentions of the interview. "Johnny Depp’s legal team blanketed the media for days after the verdict with numerous statements and interviews on television, and Depp himself did the same on social media," the spokesperson said. "Ms. Heard simply intended to respond to what they aggressively did last week; she did so by expressing her thoughts and feelings, much of which she was not allowed to do on the witness stand."
Depp's now-infamous lawsuit against Heard was filed after she wrote an op-ed piece that alleged that he was a "wife-beater." Depp pushed back against the claim, stating that he was a victim of defamation after Heard's statements cost him several major roles in franchises such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts. During the trial, Heard testified that she had suffered both physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Depp, who countered that he was actually the victim of domestic violence while the couple was still married.
After the legal battle raged for weeks, the jury eventually sided with Depp, awarding the actor $15 million USD in damages; Heard was given $2 million in damages. Following the verdict, Heard stated that her loss was not just impactful on her but on women as a whole. "It is a setback," Heard wrote. "It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously." Heard's lawyer has stated that the actor intends to appeal the verdict.
The full interview can be seen on June 14 and June 15 on NBC's Today and Friday, June 17 on Dateline NBC at 8 p.m. / 7 p.m. CT.
Source: Variety