The Untold Truth Of Johnny Depp And Amber Heard's Defamation Trial

In an unexpected turn of events, makeup brand Milani Cosmetics temporarily played an imperative role in Johnny Depp's defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard. It all began when Heard's lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, detailed her client's life as an alleged abuse victim. Bredehoft claimed Heard used a Milani Cosmetics makeup palette to cover the bruises Depp left her with. "This is what Amber carried in her purse for the entire relationship with Johnny Depp," Bredehoft said, the product in hand (via Law & Crime Network). "She's an actor. Do you honestly think she would have left her apartment ever without makeup? Do you think she would ever have wanted other people to see her bruises and cuts?"

The accuracy of this claim was questioned on social media after Milani Cosmetics came forward to debunk the assumption that Heard used the exact same palette Bredehoft presented in court. The makeup brand took to TikTok to share a video that revealed the palette was not released until 2017, a year after Heard and Depp finalized their divorce. Of course, Heard's team defended themselves against those who suggested the actor had no bruises to cover. "Heard's lawyer was using an example of the kind of makeup that she used," a source told People. The jury may soon find out about the makeup palette debacle, because a fan revealed that she spoke to Depp's lawyers about the incident and was told to email them the information.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard finalized their divorce in 2017 after being married for just over a year. Heard first initiated the divorce in 2016, during which time she also requested a temporary restraining order against Depp, per CNN. Despite Heard alleging that domestic abuse led her to seek the restraining order, the couple later released a statement that suggested physical harm wasn't a factor in their separation. "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future," the message read in part (via Vogue UK).

This statement may have just been an attempt to quiet speculation in the media, because both Heard and Depp told very different stories in court. During the trial, Heard's legal team argued that Depp did get violent during their relationship. "They're all very legitimate photographs and listen carefully to the evidence from the experts and you will find every single piece is authenticated and is true," Heard's attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, said of photos of the actor's bruises brought in as evidence of Depp's alleged abuse (via Law & Crime Network). "And they show bruises and they show cut lips, they show hair pulled out of her hair ... they show two black eyes when he headbutted her." Meanwhile, Depp argued that Heard's accusations are false and that he instead was a victim of domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Like many celebrity court cases, Johnny Depp's defamation lawsuit has brought a lot of attention. Fans were able to sit in on the trial if they arrived at the Fairfax, Virginia courtroom early enough to join the small audience. As you may have guessed, this resulted in a bit of chaos. Judge Penney Azcarate seemingly predicted fans would get riled up during the heated trial, because she listed very specific rules for spectators to abide by. "Audible comments of any kind during the court proceedings or provocative or uncivil behavior within the courtroom or courthouse will not be tolerated," Azcarate wrote in a document. "Anyone violating this Order will be expelled immediately from the courtroom and will not be able to return during the pendency of the trial."

Unfortunately for Azcarate, this is exactly what some audience members did. According to the Los Angeles Times, fans lost it after Depp couldn't recall the movies he's starred in. "I don't watch them," Depp replied when asked to list off his previous acting roles. "I feel better not watching them. I couldn't, um, I — what was the question?" The judge then threatened to remove audience members who erupted in laughter after Depp's comment. The "Alice in Wonderland" actor's fans also caused chaos by sharing a few words with Amber Heard as she left the courthouse. A small crowd can be seen on video hurling insults at the actor as she seemingly ignored the comments.

As previously mentioned, Johnny Depp claimed that his career suffered after Amber Heard came forward with abuse allegations in her op-ed for The Washington Post. The actor also argued that the allegations were falsified to tarnish his reputation. While the courts have yet to make an official legal decision on whether Heard's claims were true or false, Depp was reportedly asked to resign from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise after news of the alleged domestic abuse surfaced.

He also took to Instagram to reveal he was let go from the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise after he lost his libel suit against The Sun. In the post, he penned a letter to fans that read, in part: "Finally I wish to say this. The surreal judgement of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal." The actor continued on with a closing statement. "My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time." It seems that even then, the "City of Lies" actor was adamant about rebuilding his reputation, so it is perhaps no surprise that he has maintained the same argument during his 2022 trial.

Tara Roberts was among those who took the stand to describe a violent incident between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. Roberts managed Depp's private island in the Bahamas for over a decade, so she was able to provide plenty of detail about his relationship with Heard. The employee claimed she observed an argument in which Heard got violent. She alleged it all started when Depp escaped to the staff office after a disagreement with Heard. Heard reportedly begged Depp to return home, but he instead got into his car with the intention of driving away. Roberts then claimed that Heard stood in front of the actor's car to prevent him from leaving. The couple supposedly returned home together, where the argument continued.

Roberts claimed she listened in on their yelling spat (via Law & Crime Network). "Amber was telling him that he was a washed-up actor," alleged Roberts. "He was going to die a fat, lonely old man. Then you heard, 'You hit me with a can,' you heard Johnny say, 'You hit me with a can.'" The island manager went on to explain that she observed a mark on the bridge of Depp's nose, but didn't see any injuries on Heard the following day. Heard's witnesses have yet to testify as of this writing, so we'll have to wait and see if they have a different recollection of her behavior.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Johnny Depp's exes came to his defense at the start of his legal battles regarding Amber Heard's abuse accusations. Vanessa Paradis, with whom the actor shares two children, submitted a document in support of Depp at the start of his defamation lawsuit in 2019. "I am aware of the allegations which Amber Heard has publicly accused Johnny of for more than 4 years now," Paradis said in part, according to The Blast. "This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me."

In an interview with Time, Winona Ryder also revealed that she did not experience abuse during her romantic relationship with Depp. "I'm not calling anyone a liar. I'm just saying, it's difficult and upsetting for me to wrap my head around it," the "Stranger Things" star said of the accusations against Depp. "Look, it was a long time ago, but we were together for four years, and it was a big relationship for me. Imagine if someone you dated when you were — I was 17 when I met him — was accused of that. It's just shocking. I have never seen him be violent toward a person before." She also explained Depp was supportive and protective of her during her pregnancy. Although Depp's past lovers speak fondly of him, it is possible Heard saw a completely different side of the actor.