Johnny Depp breaks silence on Amber Heard's defemation case

Johnny Depp has spoken candidly about his relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard and the subsequent defamation case against her. 

In a rare interview with The Sunday Times, the 62-year-old actor reflected on how past relationships shaped his views on love, saying, "So, what were my initial dealings with what we call 'love?' Clearly obtuse."

The Pirates of Caribbean star explained that he often looks for people he can help, but "no good deed goes unpunished." He added, "When you try to love and help them, will start to give you an understanding of what that malaise, that perturbance was in their eyes. It manifests itself in other ways."

The defamation trial stemmed from an op-ed Heard wrote for The Washington Post in 2018, detailing her experiences with domestic abuse. Depp sued Heard for $50 million, claiming she defamed him and ruined his career. 

The trial was highly publicised, with both Depp and Heard making bombshell allegations against each other.

In June 2022, a verdict was reached, finding Heard liable on all three counts of defamation. She was ordered to pay $10.35 million in damages, while Depp was to pay $2 million for one of the claims in Heard's countersuit. 

Both parties appealed, but eventually agreed on a settlement where Heard would pay Depp $1 million, which he would donate to charity.

Depp said, "Look, it had gone far enough. I knew I'd have to semi-eviscerate myself. Everyone was saying, 'It'll go away!' But I can't trust that." 

He added, "If I don't try to represent the truth, it will be like I've actually committed the acts I am accused of. And my kids will have to live with it."

The actor also discussed the fallout from the trial, particularly with those in his inner circle. He said, "As weird as I am, certain things can be trusted. And my loyalty is the last thing anybody could question." 

He expressed disappointment with those who didn't stand up for him, saying, "I understand people who could not stand up [for me], because the most frightening thing to them was making the right choice."