Amber Heard has announced her decision to settle the defamation case brought against her by her ex-husband, Johnny Depp. But despite the settlement, an insider revealed the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor only "wanted the truth" to come out and had no plans to destroy his former wife.
Depp sued Heard for defamation after publishing an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in 2018. A high-profile public trial ensued in June in Virginia, seeing the A-list actor winning over the "Aquaman" star.
A source close to the 59-year-old told People the actress opted for settlement due to financial reasons and the judgment made against her. The 36-year-old wanted to ensure that no public scrutiny would be placed against her this time, considering it had "significant ramifications" for her.
The insider continued that this judgment against Heard isn't going away, but Depp has said time and over again that it isn't his intention to destroy the "Never Back Down" star. It isn't also because of money, as what he wants is the truth.
Depp's lawyers, Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, also released a statement to People to address Heard's settlement. They said they're delighted to formally close the door on this painful chapter of their client's life.
They continued that Depp has always made clear that he wants to "bring the truth to light," stressing the jury's unanimous decision and the resulting judgment remain fully in place. Heard's $1 million payment will also go to charities and will prove her acknowledgment of the end of the legal system's "rigorous pursuit for justice."
Heard is set to pay $1 million to Depp following her announcement of the out-of-court settlement on Monday, December 19. However, she cleared her decision wasn't an "act of concession" but due to her loss of faith in the American legal system.
For starters, she appealed the defamation verdict in November, asking the jury to reverse the decision on their trial case in June or hold a new trial entirely. She explained that even if her U.S. appeal gets approved, the best outcome will be a retrial, and she can't afford to go through that again.
She promised she would never be "threatened, disheartened, or dissuaded" to speak the truth after what happened. Head continued that no one could and would take that away from her as her voice would forever remain the "most valuable" asset she has.
