Patricia Grisafi
In a move that shouldn’t surprise anyone, Johnny Depp joined TikTok — the social media platform responsible for a plethora of disinformation campaigns and grotesque, misogynistic content about Amber Heard and their defamation trial.
On Tuesday, a week since the jury awarded Depp $10.35 million in damages and Heard $2 million after a six-week trial, Depp joined TikTok and thanked his army with a message:
“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,” he continued. “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.”
So far, Depp has gained 4.6 million TikTok followers.
Amber Heard was not interested in staying quiet.
A spokesperson for Heard responded to Depp’s message with a statement, saying, “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.”
Heard shared her own message on Instagram after the trial concluded: “The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence and sway of my ex-husband.”
“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback,” she added. “It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.”
Heard plans to appeal the verdict.