Johnny Depp judgment means abused women will no longer be Heard
AS the so-called Deppford Wives stormed the courthouse in jubilation that their idol had “won”, it was a fitting end to one of the most bizarre and sordid trials in showbiz.
The whole sorry saga shone a light on the absurdity of trials by television — and TikTok.
And the truth is, despite what Johnny Depp’s hardcore supporters will tell you, nobody wins from this shambolic story.
On Wednesday night we learned that Depp had won more than $15million — £12million — in damages from his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
The Virginia jury found he had been defamed by a 2018 article she wrote for the Washington Post calling herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse”.
Heard described the verdict as a setback for women — and she’s absolutely right.
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That this comes at a time when women’s rights are being rowed back in the US, with the impending revocation of the Roe vs Wade abortion law, is not insignificant.
It’s no coincidence, either, that this trial followed the #MeToo movement.
It’s hard not to view this as a societal backlash against that movement, and women in general, given the fervour with which so many wanted to see Heard destroyed.
Her harrowing testimony was turned into video memes on social media, mocking her recollections of violence and sexual assault.
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Surely other women who have suffered at the hands of powerful men will now think twice about whether to speak out.
Campaigners have described the verdict as a “gag order” for women.
The trial became a spectacle due to the round-the-clock TV coverage and rabid social media commentary.
Outside the court, Heard was regularly booed by a mob of angry Depp fans — more than a little distasteful, given the subject at hand.
Online, a narrative developed that Heard must be lying about the abuse she suffered during her marriage to Depp.
She was accused of faking the photos of her injuries from Depp’s alleged beatings, that she painted bruises on with make-up.
And perhaps most extraordinarily, that Heard must have hoodwinked a queue of witnesses who claimed that Depp had abused her.
These conspiracy theories were unsupported by evidence but online they soon somehow became facts.
This trial being televised was, even for the States, extremely unusual, given that it involved allegations of domestic violence.
He is a victim in US, a perpetrator in UK
And it soon became clear that the incessant and inescapable social media coverage was nearly all in favour of the swaggering Pirates Of The Caribbean star.
After seven weeks of mud-slinging and anguished testimony, the jury sided with Depp too.
The jurors unanimously decided to rule in Depp’s favour regarding his claims of defamation across three counts.
Heard won just one count of her countersuit, in which she argued she was defamed by Depp’s press agent who called her allegations “an abuse hoax”.
Less than two years earlier Depp lost a libel case in the UK, with judge Mr Justice Nicol finding that 12 of 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence had occurred.
We now face the surreal situation where, in the US Depp is now considered a victim of abuse but in the UK, he is considered a perpetrator.
There is no getting away from the irony that the title of the article that saw Heard sued by Depp was: “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath.”
In light of this trial’s verdict, it’s all the more poignant.
I can’t Keep Up with clan
IT must be exhausting being a Kardashian.
This week, Khloe wore this skin-tight latex dress, three-inch white nails and designer sunglasses – even though it was night – for dinner with mum Kris.
The dress looked spectacular but, boy, must it have been uncomfortable.
It all seems a little much for a quiet meal with your mum.
Jewel in the crown
I’M lucky enough to have done some unforgettable things in my life. I have travelled the world and met loads of inspiring people, from Prime Ministers to celebrities.
But the only time I have been left truly speechless with excitement is when I had lunch at Buckingham Palace with the Queen.
It wasn’t my first time at the palace but I was extremely nervous.
I had chosen my outfit carefully – a mid-length skirt and a high-neck blouse, understated but elegant, like the Queen – and had practised my curtsey before I went.
When I had been given my CBE by Prince William, there were so many instructions about what steps to take, that I ended up doing a squat.
Raising a glass
I didn’t want to make the same mistake with Her Majesty.
But I needn’t have been nervous.
Immediately, she made me feel like not only was she genuinely interested in me, but that we already knew each other.
She knew all about my work, about football, about my role in the House of Lords.
She was so easy to talk to that, as we sat down to eat, I almost forgot that I was dining with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Almost.
The food was spectacular – even though the menu was in French, so I wasn’t 100 per cent sure what would be served.
This year, I was invited to take part in her Platinum Jubilee Pageant as a “National Treasure”.
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it, as I am filming The Apprentice, but I will be raising a glass in celebration to the most incredible person I have ever met.
There is no one more magnificent than the Queen in carrying out her duties for our country.
MEASURE OF COMMON SENSE NEEDED
MUCH has been made of the Government’s push to reinstate imperial measurements.
As with most things, people have found something to be upset about when, really, it’ll make minimal difference to our lives.
Certainly it won’t affect my approach if I’m having to cook or bake.
That’s because I stick to a universally accepted measurement system – slinging in however much feels right.
Travel is such a boar
YOU’VE endured travel chaos, battling your way through crawling airport security queues to finally end up in paradise.
Stretching out on your sunlounger on the Costa Del Sol, life couldn’t be better.
Well, that’s until a rampaging boar comes along.
Onlookers were left stunned when the animal rushed out of the sea on the El Albir beach, just north of Benidorm on Friday.
Footage shows tourists screaming and taking cover as the wild boar runs over their towels and along the beach.
The boar dramatically collided with one woman, biting the 67-year-old. Perhaps we’d all be better off at home after all.
NO-GO JOE
WITHIN a week of the Uvalde tragedy in the US – where 19 children and two teachers were murdered – a gunman opened fire at a Tulsa hospital.
He killed four people with an AR-15 he had purchased just three hours before the attack.
President Joe Biden says he wants to do something, but added: “This is not about taking away anyone’s guns. It’s not about vilifying gun owners.”
All I can ask is: Why not, Joe?
Prince Albert Square
THE last time I watched EastEnders was Christmas Day 1986, when Dirty Den infamously handed wife Angie divorce papers.
But I did watch the Jubilee special on Thursday, which was thankfully slightly less dramatic.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were the stars of this episode, and they showed what great sports they are.
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I loved that Camilla used the moment to tie a ribbon for all the victims of domestic abuse – a cause she is dedicated to.
I thought this was a great way to shine a light on such an important subject.