Growing Celebrity Support Amber Heard

Months after the trial there’s still discussion going on about the Depp v Heard trial. One of the most notable injustices that is highlighted is the treatment of Amber Heard regardless of her guilt or innocence. She has become the most hated woman in the world according to some social media commenters. The vitriol and hate spewed online is out of balance even if you believed she defamed and or ab*sed Johnny Depp.

Who has spoken in defence of Amber Heard?
Twitter users are asking why there aren’t more influential people willing to come forward and speak out about the injustice being done to Amber Heard after a UK court already concluded that Depp had assaulted Amber on at least twelve occasions.

Domestic Violence expert, Julie Owens wrote an extensive analysis of why she believed Depp to be the abuser She uses her 30 year experience and observations of typical abuse tactics and responses to highlight Depp’s actions and traits.

Professor of psychology at University of OreganJennifer Freyd, PhD was the person who established the term DARVO and concluded that this was what Depp has been doing since Amber left him.

Dr Charlotte Proudman is an award-winning barrister and women’s rights activist. She wrote, TheDepp v Heard Verdict is a Gag order for Women

Ruth Glenn released a statement on behalf of the domestic violence organisation National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) “Appalled by Depp/Heard Verdict”

Domestic Violence advocate Amanda Kippert wrote an article for titled “Has Johnny Depp Gaslit Us All?“

Moira Donegan wrote for the Guardian“The Amber Heard v Johnny Depp Trial was an Orgy of Misogyny“. highlighting the way female victims are dismissed and humiliated through the legal system.

Celebrities who have supported Amber Heard
Whilst there are psychiatrists and some journalists who have written studies and articles on the trial there are still very few celebrities who have been willing to voice their support for Amber.

Ellen Barkin
Ellen Barkin worked with Depp on the 1998 film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Barkin supported Amber Heard during the trial and testified against Depp recalling that he was jealous and threw a bottle at her. Ellen Barkin is well established in Hollywood and recently had a starring role in the 2022 film The Man From Toronto. She has a net worth of 97 million and her own production company. She is a strong independent woman with good standing in Hollywood and is clearly not afraid to stand up against Depp and his hate campaign.

Julia Fox
Uncut Gems star Julia Fox defended Amber Heard by commenting on social media, “We are gonna look back at this trial as one of the biggest tragedies of our lifetime”. It’s possible that Julia sees what so many of us can see happening right before our eyes. Amber has been the target of a monumental smear campaign by Depp for years.

Jason Mamoa
Jason Momoa tried to save Amber Heard’s job in the film Aquaman 2 and fought hard to keep her in the role. He suffered a backlash from Depp fans but he still ‘liked’ both Depp and Amber’s posts on social media in an attempt to maintain his support but to appear neutral.

Phoebe Bridgers
On 2nd August 2022 Phoebe liked a tweet which read, “When the tide turns for Amber, people will be too ashamed to admit that they partook in the mocking of an abuse victim. Instead they’ll try to minimize the harm they caused to survivors. They’ll say ‘we were all manipulated’ as if the information wasn’t easily accessible.” Later she added her own voice saying, “If Amber Heard exhibited any neurotic behavior, it was held against her. Then Johnny Depp, out of his mouth, admitted some of the most violent, crazy shit in court, and it’ssomehow like, people aren’t surprised?”

David Krumholtz
Amber Heard met David Krumholtz in the TV series The Playboy Club. He defended Heard against claims of being crazy and described her as “brilliant” and “strong.”

Krumnoltz also wrote on instagram “She is not innocent. But she IS a victim. Johnny Depp’s smugness during the trial is sickening.”

Rachel Riley
Countdown presenter Rachel Riley proactively took to twitter calling out Depp supporters who accepted the Virginia ruling but ignored the UK ruling.

Kathy Griffin
The comedian Kathy Griffin has supported Amber Heard publicly and criticised the online hat campaign against Amber. On Twitter she wrote about the “obviously well funded online campaign against Amber”.

Kate Nash
After the trial Kate Nash took to twitter to write, “Sickened by how people have treated this whole thing.” in reply to Amber Heard’s post trial statement.

Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow has had her own experience of court battles with ex husband Woody Allen. She quoted a New Yorker story titled “The Depp-Heard Verdict Is Chilling”.

Meghan McCain
Presenter for The View, Meghan McCain wrote, “What remains clear in the Depp-Heard trial is that our country continues to learn nothing”.

Lena Headey
While some celebrities rushed to like Depp’s post following the Virginia verdict, Lena Headey who played Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones showed support for Amber by liking her statement.

Brian Cox
The ‘Succession’ star, Brian Cox talked about the Depp v Heard trial saying, “The public loves him,” suggesting that the jury from the trial also loved him too.

“I feel sorry for the woman. I think she got the rough end of it,” he added referring to Depp’s ex-wife Heard.

Edward Norton
The Fight Clubactor, Edward Norton “liked” a tweet linking to aNew York Timesarticle entitled: “The Actual Malice of the Johnny Depp Trial” showing a subtle yet pointed support for Amber Heard.

Selma Blair
Selma, who is an abuse survivor herself quietly ‘liked’ Amber Heard’s statement after the verdict.

Sarah Paulson
Sarah showed her support of Amber Heard by following her account on social media and liking her post.

Melanie Lynskey
Melanie Lynskey snubbed Depp’s posts on social media and showed her support for Amber Heard by liking her post instead.

Howard Stern
Durining his radio show, Howard Stern accused Depp of being a ‘narcissist’ and ‘overacting’ during the trial. He went on to say, “I look at that guy Johnny Depp and at the very least he’s yelling at her and throwing things, so he’s no angel. She, I don’t know, people tell me she’s nuts and she’s making it all up.”

Why haven’t more celebrities been vocal about supporting Amber?
So we know there are some celebrities who surreptitiously support Amber Heard with likes to her posts and social media accounts but why aren’t they more vocal?

Some of the more high profile celebrities are restrained by their studio contracts. Ironically, there is a morality clause which prevents the actor from behavingin an “objectionable manner or attracts disrepute” to the studio. This would include a backlash from angry fans should an actor try to side with a less popular actor. In this case Amber Heard.

There are still some high profile actors who aren’t tied to contracts. They have enough weight with studios to reverse the Depp support and encourage more for Amber. Maybe they just don’t care. Maybe it’s time to call them out on their apathy.

The Depp v Heard trial was about so much more than two celebrities. It exposed the failings of the U.S. justice system and how it can be used to further abuse a victim through the legal system. Victims are scared to come forward after seeing how Amber Heard was treated. It’s time for major players in Hollywood to start their support now, before she wins her appeal. We all know they’ll all be jumping aboard team amber once it’s ‘safe’ to do so. They need to make that move now and show that they’re not just sycophants.