In an unusually candid interview published Tuesday by Vanity Fair, Johnny Depp opened up for the first time about the $10 million defamation verdict and the “roller-coaster” marriage that preceded the widely publicized trial. The 62-year-old actor, known for his aversion to media scrutiny, reflected on how the six-week courtroom drama “took a toll” on both him and Heard, but also offered unexpected moments of clarity.
“I never wanted any of this to be public,” Depp told journalist Emily Mortimer. “But once you’re in there, you have to defend your truth.” He admitted that reliving their relationship in open court was “excruciating,” yet believes the verdict allows him to “move forward without shadows.”
@VanityFair “Johnny Depp speaks for the first time on Amber Heard, the verdict, and what lies ahead.” via X
The defamation trial, which concluded in June, saw Depp awarded $10 million plus legal fees after a Reuters report detailed how a Virginia jury found Heard’s 2018 Washington Post op-ed—where she described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse”—to be libelous. Heard was also granted $2 million in her countersuit, though that sum was later reduced.
Depp, who was married to Heard from 2015 to 2017, described their early years as “magical but volatile,” admitting that “young love mixed with bad decisions” led to destructive patterns. He credited the trial with exposing “the raw reality” behind their social-media narratives, noting that “what looks small on a screen can feel immense in real life.”
@ReutersLive “Jury sides largely with Depp in defamation suit—signals shifting public views on #MeToo debates.” via X
In the Vanity Fair interview, Depp also addressed criticism that his public image—once that of a beloved eccentric—was irreparably damaged. “I lost friends,” he said, “but I don’t regret speaking up. Silence is complicity, and I couldn’t stay silent.” He revealed that he plans to donate a portion of his damages award to domestic violence charities, a pledge first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite the verdict, Depp conceded that he and Heard “will probably never reconcile,” emphasizing that “some chapters are meant to end, not be rewritten.” He praised their co-parenting of their Yorkshire terrier, Pistol, as “one shared joy amid the ashes.”
@THR “Depp says he’ll share damages with charities, calls his relationship with Heard ‘a complex tapestry.’” via X
Courtroom sketches from CBS News captured the emotional high points of the trial—Depp’s tearful cross-examination of Heard, and Heard’s own emotional breakdown. Depp acknowledged that “watching those sketches still tugs at my heart,” but said “it’s part of the healing process to witness truth unfold.”
Public reaction to Depp’s comments was swift. Under the hashtag #DeppSpeaks, fans praised his honesty, while critics questioned the decision to revisit painful memories. Film critic @PeterTravers wrote on X that “Depp’s vulnerability may reshape his career—audiences love redemption arcs.”
@PeterTravers “Johnny’s candidness could be his greatest role—he’s playing himself, flaws and all.” via X
Industry insiders suggest Depp’s return to public life includes a planned memoir with publisher Penguin Random House and a documentary series in development at Netflix. Sources at Variety report that the series will feature “unseen trial footage” and interviews with Depp’s legal team.
Legal analysts note that Depp’s openness may influence future high-profile defamation cases in the #MeToo era. Professor Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law told NPR’s Morning Edition that “Depp’s victory underscores the importance of balancing free expression with accountability.”
@NPR “Legal experts say Depp trial sets precedent for celebrity defamation suits.” via X
As for Heard, Depp expressed a measure of empathy, acknowledging “we both made mistakes.” He added that he hopes “she finds peace and clarity,” indicating that he bears no lasting animosity. “Forgiveness is for the forgiver,” he reflected, “and I’m working on mine every day.”
Closing the interview, Depp hinted at a new chapter: “I’ve been gifted a second chance—to create art without fear, to speak my truth, and to honor those who stood by me.” Photos of him on set of his upcoming indie film The Alchemy of Loss—co-starring Tilda Swinton—accompanied the article, suggesting that Depp’s creative renaissance is already underway.
