Johnny Depp reflects on Amber Heard trial: Has no regrets as he calls himself a #MeToo ‘crash test dummy’

Three years after the explosive defamation trial that captivated the world, Johnny Depp is opening up about the personal and professional fallout from his legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. In a new interview with The Sunday Times, the Oscar-nominated actor insists he has no regrets about taking the case to court, describing himself as a “crash test dummy for #MeToo” and emphasizing his determination to fight for his reputation.

Depp, now 62, told The Sunday Times that he was unfazed by the prospect of losing work or public standing, saying, “If I end up working at a gas station? That’s perfectly fine. I’ve done that in the past”. He reflected on the trial’s impact, noting, “If I don’t attempt to convey the truth, it would be as though I actually committed the acts I’m accused of. My children would have to bear that burden”.

Depp’s legal saga began in 2019 when he sued Heard for defamation over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she described herself as a survivor of domestic abuse, though she did not mention Depp by name. Heard had previously obtained a restraining order against Depp in 2016, alleging physical abuse during their 15-month marriage. The couple’s tumultuous relationship became tabloid fodder, with both parties accusing each other of violence and emotional turmoil.


The 2022 Virginia trial, which was live-streamed and watched by millions, saw a jury award Depp over $10 million in damages after finding that Heard had defamed him with actual malice. Heard, for her part, was awarded $2 million in her countersuit after the jury found that Depp’s lawyer had defamed her in public statements. By December 2022, the former couple reached a settlement, with Heard agreeing to pay Depp $1 million, which he pledged to donate to charity.

The trial’s aftermath saw Depp’s Hollywood status scrutinized, with former agent Tracey Jacobs testifying about his alleged “unprofessional” on-set behavior and declining reputation. Depp, however, remains resolute, characterizing his legal battle as a stand for personal truth in the face of immense public pressure and the shifting tides of the #MeToo movement.