Ex-assistant castigates actress
Amber Heard’s former personal assistant contended Wednesday that she told the model-actress about a violent sexual assault she had endured, only for Heard to “twist” the story for her own use.
Kate James gave dramatic testimony at Johnny Depp’s libel trial against a British tabloid newspaper that accused the actor of abusing ex-wife Heard during their relationship.
Depp is suing News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, and the paper’s executive editor, Dan Wootton ,overan April 2018 article that called him a “wife-beater.” He strongly denies abusing Heard.
James, who worked for Heard between 2012 and 2015, gave evidence in support of Depp, and said she had told Heard that she was raped at machete-point in Brazil about 25 years ago.
She said she was shocked to learn that in a witness statement, Heard misrepresented and exploited the incident.
“She referred directly to a violent rape that occurred to me 26 years ago and she twisted it into her own story and she used it for her own use,” James said by video link from Los Angeles.
“I am a sexual violence survivor and that’s very, very serious to take that stance if you are not one,” she added.
Heard is due to give evidence in the case later this week.
Heard, 34, has made 14 allegations of violence by 57-year-old Depp between 2013 and 2016, in settings including his private island in the Bahamas, a rented house in Australia and a private jet. He denies them all.
Also on Wednesday Depp’s former estate manager accused Heard of asking him to lie under oath after she was charged with bringing her two dogs to Australia illegally.
Kevin Murphy contended Heard pressured him to commit perjury about the traveling terriers or risk losing his job. — Associated Press
Viacomcbs cuts ties with Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon’s “hateful speech” and anti-semitic theories led Viacomcbs to cut ties with the TV host and producer, the media giant said.
“Viacomcbs condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-semitism,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. It is terminating its relationship with Cannon, Viacomcbs said.
The company’s move was in response to remarks made by Cannon on a podcast in which he and Richard “Professor Griff” Griffith, the former Public Enemy member, discussed racial bias. The podcast was recorded in May 2019 and released on June 30.
Cannon produced “Wild ‘n Out,” a comedy improv series for VH1, a Viacomcbs-owned cable channel. He’s been a regular part of
TV shows unconnected to the company, including as the former host of NBC’S “America’s Got Talent” and host of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”
He wrote in a lengthy Facebook post Wednesday that he was “deeply saddened” by his firing and accused the company of using his remarks to try to silence “an outspoken black man.” In Cannon’s hour-plus podcast, he and Griffin contend that Black people are the true Hebrews and that Jews have usurped their identity.
Cannon then segues into a discussion of skin color — “And I’m going to say this carefully,” he begins — to allege that people who lack sufficient melanin are “a little less.”
Those without dark skin have a “deficiency” that historically forced them to act out of fear and commit acts of violence to survive, he said.
“They had to be savages,” Cannon said, adding that he was referring to “Jewish people, white people, Europeans,” among others.
Viacomcbs’ action came as Kareem Abduljabbar, the basketball great and writer, condemned several sports and entertainment celebrities for anti-semitic tweets and posts and what he called a “shocking lack of indignation” in response.
Abdul-jabbar made his comments in a column for The Hollywood Reporter that didn’t refer to Cannon. — Associated Press
Michael Jackson channel launching
The King of Pop is joining The Boss and Old Blue Eyes on Siriusxm satellite radio.
The month-long Michael Jackson channel was announced Wednesday by the singer’s estate.
The channel will feature music from Jackson’s albums and from live performances, including his 1988 concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium on his Bad Tour.
Around-the-clock King of Pop programming will begin at noon Eastern. Jackson joins Siriusxm channels devoted to artists like Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. — Associated Press