Photo Credit: Pinterest
A, who wished to remain anonymous for this interview, is someone who, like most of my features, I had admired from afar before starting the journey with the movement. I've gained a great friend through all this, and am incredibly excited to share their perspective with you on the entire situation - pay close attention to the manner in which they type, which I've kept as close to the original as possible, since the real truths come when their words come spilling out. A explains why they chose the cover photo: "He just looks beautiful and sweet in that black and white but I can see the pain on him and it just makes me feel for him. He came a long way."
Isabella: How did you first hear about the case, and Johnny Depp in general? What were your thoughts, and whose side did you take?
A: Johnny Depp was always this one actor I loved watching more than anybody else, that being said, this one morning happened. A “mysteriously” leaked video of Johnny Depp was circling everywhere including worldwide media/TV. I remember being shocked, speechless, I had not kept up with his life, his marriage, Amber Heard, none of it. I just knew he and Vanessa Paradis were separated, watched his films and that was it. Many people who have followed this case will tell you about their gut feeling when the story first broke and how something was off, that it did not make sense for Johnny Depp known as a kind hearted and gentle individual to be what was now being said of him. This was my first feeling when I heard about it too. But then how to explain this TMZ video ? I wanted to believe her like I believe victims of abuse. Like I would want to be believed if it happened to me. People can be different behind closed doors, but still, I did not know what to think of this video, it definitely seemed weird and out of context from the first time I saw it, edited for better words; and I felt divided in my heart as well so I just went back to my life along with a question mark around this whole thing.
Few years later, I suddenly thought of Johnny Depp and felt like it had been a while since the last time I had heard of him. Far from guessing what I was gonna get into, I googled his name only to be faced with articles headlines all equally awful. The more I was reading the more I felt like something really was not adding up. I read a lot about it, but did not immediately join a “group of support”. I started keeping an eye opened for any potential update around his case and now here I am. I think it’s important to say that people supporting him are NOT all fans but, whether it is some Johnny Depp fans or just people who found out about this case, we all got to read public court documents, see evidence, and it’s now clear: Johnny Depp is not only the victim of a hoax but also a victim of abuse and anyone can see it. You just have to accept it.
Isabella: Did you have a change in perspective? If so, what was the thing to change it? If not, was there anything that strengthened your conviction?
A: I did not think the media could be so unfair to one individual with repeatedly published smear articles attempting to sway the people’s opinion, so that’s definitely a case that has opened up my eyes. We witnessed Amber Heard and/or her legal team use their friends working in the media as a smear campaign tool; from the People Magazine article in 2016 and her WaPo op-ed in 2019 to the latest Hollywood Reporter piece this year.
People used to say Depp being “a rich white man” meant that he had all the power to shut down the allegations and that his career wouldn’t suffer. This is what might happen to some other dudes but ironically enough, only the opposite happened for Depp. For years he had the people against him, his name was tarnished with as ending result the false “abuser” label, his kids were bullied at school, a microscope would have been necessary to find just one journalist giving him a fair treatment, and still most recently he lost his acting jobs...Talk about a “rich white man with so much power”, right ?
Did I mention Amber Heard’s friends works for the media already ? If so then it’s worth mentioning again because you’d think if she has such connexions and protection from the media, then one can only become powerful….Almost like, this is how abusers actually try to silence their victims.
Isabella: In this case, what do you believe is the most important aspect/the aspect that resonates with you the most in this case? (media manipulation, lack of justice in the system, awareness for male victims of domestic abuse, etc) .
A: Johnny Depp’s situation is a prime example of how poorly we treat male victims of abuse but also victims in general. I’ve never really liked to see “categories” of victims: women on one side and men on the other side. In the end we need to support victims/survivors. All of them. The media have a responsibility here when there’s literal admissions from an abuser but still, they refuse to acknowledge it because that would mean they’ve been targeting the real victim this whole time and who in this case, also happens to be a man. This sends a strong message of ignorance and denial and shows how there’s still so much to improve.
Real change in our society also comes with our capacity to admit faults.
Isabella: How do you use social media as a tool to spread awareness for #JusticeForJohnnyDepp ?
A: I post court documents, videos and any evidence that can help get the truth out there and if something new is dropping I like many others, make sure to keep people updated about it. A few popular hashtags became of classical good use as well ever since the audio tapes got released.
To get everyone’s attention, you must be loud. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp
Isabella: What have you learned about social media in being a part of this movement?
A: I have learned from social media that people have this dangerous ability to believe so blindly and easily the trash, the rumors, anything really but once faced with actual evidence and confessions as such in this case, some people still think their opinion is what matters the most regardless of proof and injury it may leave on one’s life. Some people don’t even bother reading past headlines.
On a brighter note, I’ve got to see multiple times (and not only with Johnny Depp), how people can get united together as one in order to bring justice and equality.
Isabella: If you could say anything to people who are not convinced of Johnny’s innocence, believe Amber is not abusive, or still cling to a “mutual abuse” narrative, what would it
be?
A: I would simply say this:
“I did start a physical fight.”
“I can’t promise you that I’ll be perfect.”
“I did not fucking deck you, I fucking was hitting you, but you’re fine! I did not hurt you!”
“Tell the world Johnny, I, Johnny Depp, a man. I’m a victim too of domestic violence and see how many people believe or side with you!” -Amber Heard
This is not mutual abuse. I know some people refuses to believe a man can be a victim, because it feels like a betrayal to women survivors but here’s the thing:
Believing Johnny Depp does not mean you betray women or any victim of abuse. Amber Heard betrays them with her lies and only harms their credibility.
Isabella: Do you have a favorite Johnny Depp film/role?
A: All of his work is fascinating and a lesson of acting. Like many, I'll say Captain Jack is a classic but then again what role of his isn’t ? His work with Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter is so cool. I also love his more serious/thriller films and his 90s era projects are simply iconic.
You can find A hidden, somewhere, in the mysterious cryberspace. A - it was an honor to interview you and scare you on our Google Doc. I love you, and hope you enjoyed being part of this little project!
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