Johnny vs Amber

Story by Marcellus Peters-Jackson. Photo courtesy of Insider.

So, everyone’s heard about the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard case. But for those who haven’t been filled in yet, Amber Heard is currently getting sued by her ex husband, Johnny Depp, for $50 million for defamation and essentially ruining his career over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote detailing her experiences as a domestic violence survivor. 

Now, of course, the public saw this and became outraged, as Depp was immediately labeled a domestic abuser, seriously damaging his career. He was cast out of movies, and his reputation as an actor was essentially shattered. So that’s why he’s suing Heard for defamation of character. But, Heard is doing the most controversial uno reverse card by counter suing him for $100 million.

Not only that, Johnny and Amber have dropped some new bombshells. Both have allegedly abused each other. Depp says that Amber had thrown items at him when she was drunk, angry or viciously cursing him out. One of the outbursts actually severed his finger because Heard threw a glass bottle at it. 

But Heard told a drastically different story in her testimony, saying that Depp's use of drugs and alcohol was dangerous for her, apparently creating a “cycle of abuse”. She said that Depp’s outbursts got so serious that they escalated into physical attacks. She also said that his finger was severed by one of his drug/alcohol induced outbursts.

Amber Heard has even gone on to say that she can’t look her ex in the eye, because she would “look into his eyes and not see him anymore” while sobbing in the courtroom.

Now, that the case is over, we can see the final responses of the actors before the dismissal. Depp is happy about “getting his life back” from the jury, and Amber is “heartbroken” about losing the case, saying this is a bad signal for women everywhere who might be victims of abuse.

I personally don’t know who’s correct here, since both stories could happen. Drug and alcohol abuse are real problems, but at the end of the day Johnny Depp won the case, and was awarded $15 million in damages.

Marcellus Peters-Jackson is a 7th grade scholar at Friendship Woodridge International School.