Amber won’t let Johnny win
IT WAS A STRIKING image: last week Amber Heard marched with an American flag at a protest against Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, as she spoke out in support of survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
It was even more powerful given that, just days earlier, her ex-husband Johnny Depp – who she accused of ‘physically and emotionally’ abusing her in 2016 – had given an interview denying ever harming her during their two-year marriage. ‘ The thing that hurt me is being presented as something that you’re really as far away from as you could possibly get,’ he told GQ. ‘ To harm someone you love? As a kind of bully? No, it didn’t, it couldn’t even sound like me.’
Amber’s legal team had soon branded the interview ‘emotional abuse’, adding, ‘Mr Depp has blatantly disregarded the parties’ confidentiality agreement. Mr Depp is shamefully continuing his psychological abuse of Ms Heard, who has attempted to put a very painful part of her life firmly in her past.’ In scenes that recalled their acrimonious divorce battle, his lawyer retaliated in a statement, ‘Mr Depp is simply defending himself against Ms Heard’s lingering, false abuse accusations. Johnny Depp is a victim of violent abuse.’
According to an La-based source, the episode has left Amber feeling ‘unsettled’ and ‘afraid’ that Johnny is ‘ building a new case against her. Her appearance at the march was seemingly a defiant show of strength against Johnny’s denial (Amy Schumer and Emily Ratajkowski were among 300 people arrested at the same protest – turn to page 48 to read our interview with Emily on female activism). ‘Amber’s worst fears have come true with Johnny’s latest comments and she continues to live in fear that this saga will never end,’ said the source. ‘It’s an absolute nightmare but she’s trying to remain strong and fight her corner. What concerns her most is how much support Johnny seems to be getting in Hollywood. She’s terrified that this is all overshadowing her career prospects. Meanwhile, Johnny is safe and secure in his status as one of the industry’s most enduring leading males.’ Indeed, despite Johnny lamenting in the interview that he had ‘in a very, very short period of time’ turned into a ‘ beast’ in the public eye, his standing in Hollywood is yet to be dented. Next month, he will star in the next instalment of Fantastic Beasts, despite widespread calls for him to be removed from the franchise.
‘ While Amber’s legal team and close support group are doing their best to give her confidence and strength, at times she’s buckling under the intense pressure of it all,’ continued our insider. ‘He seems to be building this new case against her, rallying people on his side and continuing to speak out, despite the fact that it was all supposed to be settled. Amber can feel it gaining traction and it’s unsettling her to say the very least.
‘She fears the worst, but she has vowed to her friends and family that she won’t let Johnny win.’