Johnny Depp thanked his fans directly for all their support during his defamation case against Amber Heard by joining TikTok, the social media platform that helped drive much of public opinion.
Since creating the account, the actor has already racked up 4.5 million followers, describing himself as an “occasional thespian” in the bio. In the only video Depp has posted so far, he shares footage of himself waving to fans and protestors outside the court house as he drives by, all set to the song “Stranger” by Love Joys. In the caption the actor writes, “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 response to this recent post, a spokesperson for Heard released a statement that read, “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.”
Depp’s celebratory post comes one week after he won his case against Heard with a Virginia jury ruling that she is liable for three counts of defamation. The actor was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and Heard was also ordered to pay an additional $5 million in punitive damages. However, in Virginia, punitive payments are capped at $350,000, so the total damages will instead be $10.35 million.
In response to this suit, Heard also countersued Depp for $100 million after Depp’s lawyer called her claims a “hoax” in the Daily Mail, among other statements. The jury found Depp not liable on two counts of defamation regarding statements made by Depp’s then lawyer Adam Waldman, and liable on one count—the latter being the statement, “Quite simply this was an ambush, a hoax. They set Mr. Depp up by calling the cops but the first attempt didn’t do the trick. The officers came to the penthouses, thoroughly searched and interviewed, and left after seeing no damage to face or property. So Amber and her friends spilled a little wine and roughed the place up, got their stories straight under the direction of a lawyer and publicist, and then placed a second call to 911.” The jury awarded Heard compensatory damages of $2 million.