Inside Johnny Depp’s Ongoing Crisis:
What We’re Learning and Truth VS Lies
By Zach Roozendaal, contributor
(Photo Credit: Creative Commons_shahanaj27)
Many people have seen at least one film from Johnny Depp. The actor has starred in many great films over the years, from playing the swashbuckling pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, to the flamboyant confectionary connoisseur Willy Wonka in the remake of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, as well as sadistic psycho Sweeney Todd, and also the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.
More recently, however, are the troubling and ongoing issues from beyond the silver screen or red carpet that the acclaimed actor has faced, as well as shocking twists and turns in regards to what is happening and the situation he’s in. For those of you who aren’t up to date with what’s going on, let me run you through the timeline of events.
Depp’s ex wife, actress Amber Heard, allegedly was physically abused and claims that Depp beat her senselessly while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and had been abusing substances and became violent while impaired. She had filed for both a divorce and restraining order following one incident so serious, she called 911, however Depp claims that it was actually the other way around. Now, in the wake of the #metoo movement, many may have been quick to jump on the bandwagon with Heard, seeing Depp as trying to preserve his career and that Heard was simply a brave individual who came forward about her domestic abuse from her ex-husband, however things have been quite shocking as of recently. Heard was quick to deny her former lover’s claims of any and all violence or aggression against him. Many people took her side, at least until recently.
Leaked audio of an altercation between Heard and Depp suggests the opposite of Heard’s claims against her former spouse, with Heard becoming physically and emotionally aggressive and violent against Depp. Many celebs have been quick to voice their support of Johnny following the leak of the audio, including singer/songwriter Sia, and Depp’s co-star from the movie Mordecai, Paul Bettany. Others to voice their opinions on the matter was Stranger Things star and Depp’s former partner Winona Ryder, who sided with Depp, as well as Depp’s own daughter through a post on Instagram, although that post has since been taken down for unknown reasons. His daughter described him as being a kind and gentle person, and a loving father to her and her younger brother.
According to Depp’s Lawyers, Heard was only looking to benefit from her claims, both from the attention, and so she could attempt to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse. There is some behaviour that caused people to be skeptical of Depp however, and that was the fact that Depp had admitted to being addicted to Roxicodone since about early 2010, which is a powerful opioid. A journalist for the Rolling Stone, Stephen Rodrick, claimed that Depp had used Hashish in his presence.
Heard had testified her abuse claims while under oath at a divorce court deposition. The media was abuzz after hearing Heard’s claims and other celebs who haven’t been so positive include former reality show star and former passenger of the Crazy Train, Sharon Osbourne, stating that both Heard and Depp are as bad as each other, and she knows exactly how they are because they apparently behave the way she and her ex-husband, rock ‘n roll legend and man who’s mouth is an occasional guillotine for animals, Ozzy Osbourne. People will point out that he and Sharon are both crazy as hell, but to the extent of abuse? Who knows?
Depp has been fired from working on the next Fantastic Beasts film, a series that takes place within the same universe as the Harry Potter franchise, and was also created by British author JK Rowling. There has been much uproar as a result of this, especially considering the leaked audio of Heard’s abuse against her ex-husband.
As if the actor couldn’t catch a break, Depp also lost a libel case earlier this month after he sued a British newspaper known as The Sun in the UK following an article they published that described Depp as a wife beater. The courts are also siding with Heard, as they see her being extremely vulnerable as a woman and Depp as a liar who’s far too concerned about his image and preserving his career than being honest. Depp may be a bit of an oddity, but following the leaked audio, and also the many character witnesses, I’d say it’s likely that he’s not exaggerating his claims. But as for whether or not Heard’s claims are totally invalid is completely up for debate.
Abuse of any form is a very touchy subject and can be extremely difficult to talk about, and although sometimes it’s obvious to recognize it in an external sense, such as being friends with the victim and witnessing it or the effects of it on the victim, when a person themselves is a victim of it, it can be hard to recognize the signs of it, especially if the abuse is psychological or emotional. Abuse isn’t something that’s restricted between romantic relationships. It can be between friends, coworkers, colleagues, classmates, teachers and students, parents and children, roommates, and the list goes on.
For anyone who isn’t sure if they are a victim of abuse and are wondering what the signs are, please make sure to visit www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/how-recognize-abuse.html as abuse can take on many different forms, whether it be leaves obvious signs like physical abuse or more subtle and harder to see such as emotional and psychological and even sexual abuse.
If you ever feel that your life is in danger from an abuser, always make sure you dial 911. If you’re not in immediate danger, and the abuse is more psychological, sexual or psychological, then you can call this number toll free 1-877-977-0007 for the Stop The Violence Manitoba Domestic Abuse Hotline. Domestic abuse isn’t limited to physical harm, or between romantic partners, and no one will fault you for calling it if you genuinely feel you need to. November happens to be Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, so if you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, refer them to that helpline or call it yourself.
Sometimes the scars we bear are psychological, and they don’t always heal fully, just like physical scars, and they can run deep as any cuts we’ve gotten, but it doesn’t mean a person’s not strong. Abuse victims come in all shapes and sizes.
And now as always, it’s time for my final thought.
Things aren’t always as they seem, but the truth is always worth chasing, because truth leads to justice, and justice leads to closure.
Stay safe out there, take care of each other, stay at home unless you absolutely have to go out, wear a mask, wash and sanitize your hands often, and social distance, and follow guidelines.
Until next time, I’m Zach Roozendaal. Goodbye for now.