This is a surprisingly low amount, considering the severity of the accusations.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have finally settled their defamation case, with Heard paying only $1 million. A six-week trial in Virginia earlier this year resulted in a judgment of $8.35 million, which is a long cry from the current amount.
Heard also shared this news on her social media with a lengthy statement that tackles what she felt about the American legal system, how she defended her truth, and how this is not an act of concession.
“After a great deal of deliberation I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia,” her statement began.
The actress emphasized that she did not choose this and that speaking out for the truth has destroyed her life. According to her, the internet hatred she has seen is an exaggerated version of the ways in which women are mistreated once more after coming out.
Heard proceeded by claiming that she has now, at long last, been given a chance to free herself from something on terms she can accept after attempting to do so more than six years ago.
“I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward,” she continued.
Moreover, Heard said that she made this decision after losing faith in the American legal system after seeing that her forthright testimony was utilized for entertainment purposes and the amusement of social media users.
She also discussed the differences between the US and UK justice systems, claiming that when she appeared before a judge in the latter country, she was upheld by a “robust, impartial, and fair system.”
According to her, she was also shielded from having to share the most salacious information of her testimony in front of the world’s media, and the court there determined that she had been the victim of both domestic and sexual violence.
Then she went on to say that in the US, she used almost all of her resources to prepare for and throughout a trial where she was subjected to a courtroom where a wealth of direct evidence that backed her testimony was concealed and where popularity and power were valued more highly than reason and due process.
Heard further disclosed that her US appeal is successful and that the ideal result would be a retrial in which a new jury would have to weigh the evidence. But she said she couldn’t possibly go through it again a third time.
Now that Depp’s defamation lawsuit against her has been settled, she shared that she wants to spend her time “productively and purposefully.” She also cannot afford to “risk an impossible bill,” which affects her financially and emotionally, physically, and psychologically.
Heard ended her remarks by expressing gratitude to the outstanding appellate and initial trial teams, as well as to those who have stood by her. She also expressed gratitude for the growing support she received in the months following the trial and for the efforts made to draw attention to her case.
“Any survivor knows that the ability to tell their story often feels like the only relief, and I cannot find enough words to tell you the hope your belief in me inspires, not just for me, but for all of you.”
For Depp’s part, his attorneys, Camille Vasquez and Benjamin Chew, confirmed this news in a statement to TMZ, saying, “We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process his intent to bring the truth to light.”
“This was never about the money. The jury’s unanimous decision and the judgment in his favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place, and the payment of $1M — which Mr. Depp is pledging and will donate to charities — reinforces Ms. Heard’s acknowledgment of the conclusion of the legal system’s rigorous pursuit for justice,” they added.
In July, Heard filed an appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals about the defamation case ruling that she lost against her ex-husband in an attempt to overturn the June 1 ruling of the lower court.
The ruling determined that Depp had won his defamation lawsuit against the actress and had been given $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
This also resulted in the “Aquaman” actress becoming broke since she could not reimburse her ex-husband for the said amount in damages. She also acknowledged throughout the trial that she didn’t donate the money from her divorce settlement to charity.
The petition was submitted more than a week after a judge denied Heard’s plea for a new trial; Depp’s counsel labeled the demand as “baseless” and “frivolous.”
On the other hand, the Virginia jury at that time also gave the “Aquaman” actress $2 million for succeeding on one of three claims in the countersuit she filed against her ex-spouse.
Reactions to Amber Heard Settles Defamation Case With Johnny Depp With Only $1 Million
The fact that Johnny Depp settled with Amber Heard for only $1million shows it was never about the money or getting back at her; he was trying to defend himself and clear his name. Johnny Depp is a winner.
The fact that Johnny Depp settled with Amber Heard for only $1million shows it was never about the money or getting back at her; he was trying to defend himself and clear his name.
— JAMES (@jamesfromcourt) December 19, 2022
Johnny Depp is a winner. pic.twitter.com/F9GPiz9Hdu
My heart goes out to Amber Heard as she has made the decision to settle the defamation lawsuit against her by her abusive vindictive ex-husband, Johnny Depp. He and his team used misogyny, victim blaming, and lies to further abuse her on the stand. I hope she heals from this…
My heart goes out to Amber Heard as she has made the decision to settle the defamation lawsuit against her by her abusive vindictive ex-husband, Johnny Depp. He and his team used misogyny, victim blaming, and lies to further abuse her on the stand. I hope she heals from this… pic.twitter.com/DdCKpQnVSu
— 𝝠sh (@starfallgoddess) December 19, 2022
Worth pointing out that JD knew Amber’s gonna win her appeal since he accepted the terms of Amber being no guilty and being allowed to talk FREELY about the case and her life. It’s a big win for Amber. She deserves peace,she deserves healing. #AmberIsFree #IStandWithAmberHeard
Worth pointing out that JD knew Amber’s gonna win her appeal since he accepted the terms of Amber being no guilty and being allowed to talk FREELY about the case and her life. It’s a big win for Amber.
— justice for amber heard (@justiceforambe1) December 19, 2022
She deserves peace,she deserves healing. #AmberIsFree #IStandWithAmberHeard pic.twitter.com/rmIFxCHlpC