Johnny Depp has won the defamation case he filed against Amber Heard on Wednesday, June 1. After a seven-week trial filled with shocking allegations, what does this mean for their careers?
The jury awarded Johnny Depp $15 million-$10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages- while Amber Heard received $2 million in compensatory damages. The decision has favored the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star, shutting down his ex-wife's domestic violence and sexual assault claims.
Fox News reported Judge Penney Azcarate reduced the actor's punitive damages award from $5 million to $350,000, which was the maximum under the Virginia law. Hence, the total compensation he received was $10.35 million.
Alternatively, the jury, composed of five men and two women, favored the "Aquaman" actress after finding that her ex-husband defamed her through his attorney, Adam Waldman, after accusing her of "staging an alleged assault." They awarded her $2 million in compensatory damages.
So, what does this mean for their careers? Hollywood insiders revealed their respective careers "would be decided in the court of public opinion."
In a talk with some entertainment industry experts, a veteran publicist, who has known the 58-year-old actor, told CNN that the support Johnny Depp received on social media during the trial might "serve him well."
Another top Hollywood promoter, who has not worked with either of the two stars, said none of the ex-couple's images "have fared well." He explained that they are both "highly dysfunctional," adding no one would win in this fight that involved money and greed.
The publication added that there are natural hurdles that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard need to overcome now that their legal battle has ended. Entertainment agent Darryl Marshak revealed film studios might initially be hesitant to get themselves involved with the actors who had been embroiled in a huge public controversy.
He cited Robert Downey Jr. as an example. The "Iron Man" star won an Academy Award and aired his personal business out in the open and the public just recoiled.
Though strange, he continued that Hollywood is a forgiving industry. "When you air your dirty laundry in front of the machine, the executives, all the people that make the parts move, they sort of recoil from a hot flame," he explained.
For starters, Amber Heard claimed Johnny Depp verbally and physically abused her. She also accused him of sexual violence when they were still together.
Johnny Depp had vehemently denied the accusations, stressing he had never struck a woman before. Instead, he called himself a victim of domestic abuse by Amber Heard, who also denied the claim.
