In the wake of his victory in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard amid accusations of abuse, actor Johnny Depp has thanked his supporters in a brand-new, instantly viral TikTok video--and Heard isn't having any of it.
Depp joined TikTok just days ago and instantaneously had millions of followers before even posting a single video. In his first video, Depp spoke of "moving forward" now that the case is settled.
But Heard was quick to hit back at the sentiment, saying while he may be "moving forward," the verdict means that "women's rights are moving backward."
See Depp's TikTok below.
@johnnydepp To all of my most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters. We’ve been everywhere together, we have seen everything together. We have walked the same road together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared. And now, we will all move forward together. You are, as always, my employers and once again I am whittled down to no way to say thank you, other than just by saying thank you. So, thank you. My love & respect, JD
♬ Stranger - Love Joys
Along with video clips of him waving at fans while on tour with musician Jeff Beck, Depp included a grateful caption to his fans, which read:
"To all of my most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters."
"We’ve been everywhere together, we have seen everything together. We have walked the same road together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared."
"And now, we will all move forward together."
"You are, as always, my employers and once again I am whittled down to no way to say thank you, other than just by saying thank you."
"So, thank you. My love & respect, JD"
In a statement, Heard pushed back hard on Depp's gushing post, underlining the gravity of the court case that ensued between them.
"As Johnny Depp says he's 'moving forward,' women's rights are moving backward. The verdict's message to victims of domestic violence is ... be afraid to stand up and speak out."
As during the trial, Depp's and Heard's words on the matter have become something of a media circus themselves. On social media, the general consensus has long seemed to be that Heard was lying about her allegations against Depp.
But analysis from a company that monitors social media disinformation found that the narrative has been heavily driven by fake accounts.
" "We were amazed to see that actually nearly 11% of the conversation around the trial was driven by fake accounts, which is a very high number," Mr Mendelsohn said." #JusticeForAmberHeard #IStandWithAmberHeard https://t.co/gg2ih8DTS6
— Dr. Whimsy Anderson (@doctorwhimsy) June 7, 2022
Whether social media's take on the Depp-Heard case was real or bot-fueled, the notion that Heard is the abuser only gained more momentum since she spoke out about his TikTok--the responses have overwhelmingly been smears of Heard.
Amber Heard is obsessed with Johnny Depp becoming active on social media, first with Instagram, now TikTok, like it has anything to do with her.
She HATES that he’s so loved & supported in everything he does & she isn’t.
Stay pressed hun, you lost 🖕 pic.twitter.com/WI9d7Iaifl
— Arwen sparrow (@An_elf_pirate) June 7, 2022
So she makes a comment 41 mins after he posted a TikTok video 4 hours ago, 1. cuz she has to have the last word, and 2. She can't and won't leave him alone although SHE "claimed" at trial SHE just wanted him to leave her alone... https://t.co/J9ryCrVZLk
— Ang Davis (@savida78) June 7, 2022
She’s the one who has damaged true DV victims! Amber Heard slams Johnny Depp for posting montage on TikTok thanking his fans | Daily Mail Online https://t.co/twfEP9PQbG
— Emma Kenny (@emmakennytv) June 8, 2022
Seriously now, he won once 7 people had an unanimous decision based on the evidence presented in a court of law. He is moving on, he isn't posting petty messages or bullying anyone. Move on, Amber. Be with your child, do better, go to therapy, learn about your flaws and heal.
— Andrea 🌿 (@SykesAndreea) June 7, 2022
"I just want Johnny to leave me ALONE!" - Amber Heard, giving testimony in VA, 2022.
Also Amber Heard, 2022- stalking Johnny Depp and watching his TikTok account. https://t.co/8Sk1Aei3Cq
— Femme (@FemCondition) June 7, 2022
She wasn’t credible. Media was on her side (still is). Most lawyers said it was her case to lose. Most people thought #JohnnyDepp was most likely wrong due to the media/UK decision. We watched it ourselves. We were shown otherwise. Legacy media is trapped in a group-think cocoon. https://t.co/UAA0rNMrW2
— Maja Seif 🏳️🌈🏴☠️ (@MajaSeif) June 8, 2022
But Heard was not without her supporters, and they were as disturbed by the response to her statement as they were to the campaigns against her during the trial.
The same people complaining ab her statement have been using sex work as a tool for shame, calling women slurs, threatening rape/assault/death, and moving for more harassment towards other unrelated women.
She is right. https://t.co/EX1mqUA3f4
— This is a Political Amber Heard stan acc (@1800EnoughLies) June 8, 2022
JD talks about himself and his "unwavering supporters" who act like the Manson family. Amber speaks to and for victims of domestic violence who are scared right now. #istandwithamberheard https://t.co/IHFQeqgWGR pic.twitter.com/keaRZIbW6O
— Babydoll (@junkyardworld) June 7, 2022
Wife beater Depp is not only setting women's rights backwards but also free speech, press and even our rights to retweet. Twitterverse still supporting him while he is about to set a precedent on how we all could be sued for a RT it makes as much sense as that verdict 😒 https://t.co/ykAUTz8dlK pic.twitter.com/fJelhzxQD5
— STIRGUS SACCHETTI (@stirgussa) June 7, 2022
The trial between Depp and Heard stemmed from an op-ed Heard wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which she addressed domestic abuse and sexual assault accusations widely believed to have been directed at Depp.
Depp sued for defamation and Heard countersued. After a six-week media circus of a trial, the jury sided mostly with Depp, and he was award $10.35 million in damages while Heard was awarded $2 million.
Heard called that victory, too, a "setback" to women's rights.
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