Amber Heard has broken her silence in a detailed essay following the settlement of her defamation cases with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
After being asked to pay her ex-boyfriend Johnny Depp $1 million to settle their defamation claims, Amber Heard broke her silence with a lengthy article.
As part of their final defamation settlement, Amber Heard gave her ex-husband Johnny Depp $1 million.
In a lengthy statement released on Monday, the actress, 36, claimed that settling the multi-million dollar lawsuit was a “very difficult decision”.
One of the most intense court battles ever seen in Hollywood ended with the couple’s lawyers working out a deal where Heard’s insurance company would pay Depp $1 million to settle the dispute.
However, the deal places no restrictions on what Heard can talk about in relation to the case, and she has not accepted any blame, Mail Online reports.
Heard said she was a victim of domestic violence during a six-year legal battle that played out in courtrooms on both sides of the Atlantic. Although Heard did not specifically name her ex-husband, she did mention the assault in a Washington Post essay.
While Heard won her legal battle in London, the Pirates of the Caribbean star won her battle in Virginia, leaving Heard in a “heartbreaking” defeat.
The jury decided to award Depp $58.5 million (£4 million) in punitive damages and $10 million (£8 million) in compensatory damages.
Heard claimed that the actor’s legal team had unfairly accused her of making allegations against the actor, and when she successfully proved one of her counterclaims to a jury, she was awarded $2m (£1.6m) in damages.
Since then, legal teams from both sides have engaged in discussions to prevent a third trial. An agreement was finally reached over the weekend, with both sides agreeing to release a statement today.
Heard wrote a lengthy statement, which she shared on Instagram, in which she claimed the legal wrangling had “destroyed my life as I knew it.”
The actress said she could use her time “more productively and purposefully” if she were to “emancipate herself” from the predicament she’s been in for the past six years.
She previously discussed how she sold her home in LA to help pay for the legal case and decided not to continue the legal battle because she didn’t want to risk further losses.
As a result of the settlement, Depp’s payment will be picked up by her homeowner’s insurance provider.
In addition, she experienced courtroom attention, particularly the full scrutiny of the US justice system, which she said saw her testimony “serve as entertainment and fodder for social media”.
The full statement reads: “After careful consideration, I have decided to settle a Virginia defamation lawsuit brought against me by my ex-husband.
I must point out that I never chose this. My life as I knew it was destroyed because I stood up for the truth. When women come out, they are often re-victimized in ways that are compounded by the denigration I have experienced on social media. I have now been given the opportunity to break free from something on terms I can accept after trying to do so more than six years ago. I didn’t admit anything. This is in no way a concession. Go ahead, there are no restrictions or gags in my voice.
“I surrendered to the US justice system after seeing how my unprotected testimony was used for entertainment and to feed social media.
“When I appeared before a judge in the UK, I was defended by a strong, impartial, and fair system that protected me from having to give the worst parts of my evidence to the world’s media, and the court concluded that I was the victim of domestic and sexual attack.
“In the US, however, I almost completely exhausted all my resources before and during the trial, where I was exposed to a courtroom where ample direct evidence supporting my testimony was ignored and where popularity and power were valued. more than reason and due process. Meanwhile, I experienced a form of humiliation that I am unable to repeat.
The optimal outcome would be a retrial where a new jury would have to reconsider the facts even if my US appeal is successful. I might not make it a third time.
“Time is precious and I want to use it wisely and productively. For too long I have been trapped in a costly and time-consuming court system that has repeatedly failed to protect my interests or my freedom of speech. I cannot afford to take risks that would result in crippling costs that would they have not only affected my finances but also my physical, mental, and emotional health. Women shouldn’t have to fear harassment or financial ruin to speak their truth, but unfortunately, it happens sometimes.
“By ending this lawsuit, I also choose the freedom to devote my time to work that has supported my recovery from divorce; work that takes place in realms where I feel seen, heard, and trusted, and to which I am confident I can bring change. I will not let what happened intimidate me, demoralize me, or prevent me from speaking the truth. No one will be able to take that away from me. My voice will always be my most important asset.
“I would like to express my gratitude for the wonderful work done by my first trial and appeals teams. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped me and to highlight the growing level of solidarity with my experience that has been demonstrated.” in public in the months after my trial. Any victim will tell you that the power to share their story is often the only comfort they feel. I cannot express to you how much hope your faith in me inspires—not only in me but in all of you. I am thankful. We’ll talk soon.
Amber Heard’s decision to settle defamation cases marks a turning point in her life and provides her with an opportunity to reclaim her voice, move forward, and channel her energies into efforts that will bring about positive change.