Actor Johnny Depp resumes his testimony in his defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, Wednesday in Fairfax, Virginia court.
Depp discusses the nature of his relationship with Heard, accusing her of being verbally abusive through demeaning comments and name-calling often resulting in escalating arguments between the two.
In his three-hour testimony Tuesday, Depp spoke about Heard’s allegations of domestic abuse, his history with substance abuse, and his experience growing up with an abusive mother, CNN reports.
The actor famously known for his star role in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was heard Wednesday in court testifying about his alleged abusive relationship with Heard being similar to that abusive relationship with his mother. He said, “You slowly realize you’re in a relationship with your mother, in a sense.”
When Depp’s attorney asked him why he continues to stay with Heard, despite the deterioration of their relationship he responded, “I wanted to try to make it work.”
“Ms. Heard had spoken of suicide on a couple of occasions, so that also becomes a factor, that’s something that lives in the back of your brain,” Depp stated.
Depp is suing Heard for $50 million over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed where Heard wrote her experience with domestic abuse, though she does not name Depp in the piece, he claims it cost him lucrative film work.
“One day you’re Cinderella and then in zero point six seconds you’re Quasimodo,” Depp said. “I didn’t deserve that and neither did my children.”
Throughout this case, Depp has maintained his innocence, claiming, “Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.”
Depp and Amber first met on the set of “The Rum Diary” in 2009, followed by their marriage in 2015.
The couple settled their divorce in August 2016, releasing a joint statement commenting on their volatile relationship. Part of the statement reads: “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love.”
Heard has tried to get this defamation suit dismissed but has been unsuccessful. She filed a $100 million defamation countersuit against Depp in 2020, which is still ongoing, according to CNN.
While the world is watching this case unravel, the many guest-star witnesses include Heard’s former partner Elon Musk, actor James Franco, WandaVision star Paul Bettany, Ellen Barkin, representatives from Disney and Warner Bros., the ACLU, and the LAPD.
Depp and Amber have faced harsh criticism because of their accusations against each other, yet many fans have come to watch Depp’s testimony in Virginia. One fan and high school student, Jacob Winters, arrived at court dressed as Depp’s character Raoul Duke from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
“I’m surprised nobody is dressed as Jack Sparrow,” Winters said. “I’m a supporter of Johnny Depp, a tacit supporter, just because of the accusations against him. I have grown up on his movies. Plus, it’s spring break. I had nothing better to do than gawk at a petty celebrity feud.”
