Amber Heard says she stands by every word of testimony in 1st interview since Johnny Depp libel verdict

In her first interview since the widely publicized libel lawsuit with ex-husband Johnny Depp, actress Amber Heard told NBC’s Today Show on Tuesday morning that she stood by every word of her testimony.

« I spoke truth to power and paid the price, » Heard said in an interview with Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

the old Pirates of the Caribbean The star had sued Heard for $50 million, claiming she defamed him in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote describing herself as « a public figure representing domestic violence, » though the article never mentioned Depp by name. Heard countersuit for $100 million.

The Today Show interview came just two weeks after the US jury’s split decision, awarding Depp US$10 million and Heard US$2 million in damages.

Heard called the trial decision « surreal » and « difficult. »

« I wouldn’t blame the average person for looking at this and how it was covered up and thinking it’s just… Hollywood kids at their worst, » she said.

« But what people don’t understand is…it’s so much bigger than that. »

Guthrie cites audio recordings of the trial

The legal proceedings, which were broadcast live on Court TV, quickly spread on social media. Depp and Heard testified accusing each other of domestic abuse during their relationship.

Guthrie cited audio recordings of the two that were used as evidence at trial during his conversation with Heard.

« I’m looking at a transcript that says, he says, ‘You start physical fights,' » Guthrie read. « And you say, ‘I started a physical fight. I can’t promise you that I won’t get physical again. «

Heard said the recordings did not describe the entire conversation.

« I was speaking in these recordings as someone in extreme emotional, psychological and physical distress, » she said.

Guthrie also asked about Depp’s team saying Heard had been an abuser in the relationship.

« I never had to instigate it. I responded to it, » she said. « When you live with violence and…it becomes normal, as I testified. You have to adapt. »

The role played by social networks

Heard said she thought the way the vast majority of the trial took place online was an example of social media going « out of whack ».

« Even if you think I’m lying, you still can’t… look me in the eye and tell me that you think on social media there has been fair representation, » she said.

Throughout the six-week trial, social media feeds filled with videos and comments condemning Heard and supporting Depp.

Even if you think I’m lying, you still can’t… look me in the eye and tell me that you think on social media there has been fair representation.– Amber Heard

Heard said she thought it would have been impossible to avoid, even for the best-intentioned juror.

Speaking about Depp’s online fandom and discussion of the lawsuit on social media, Heard told Guthrie it was « the most humiliating and horrible thing » she had ever experienced.

« I have never felt so removed from my own humanity. I felt less than human. »

She described the crowd of Depp fans she passed holding signs that read « burn the witch » and « death to Amber ». She said that during the second half of the trial, the courtroom was « full of Captain Jack Sparrow fans speaking out [and] energized. »

Heard calls the relationship ‘very toxic’

In 2020, Depp lost a libel case against British tabloid The Sun, which published an article calling him a « wife beater ». Heard, who was a key witness in that trial, was asked how she thought the US trial had gone differently.

« I will say his lawyers certainly did a better job of distracting the jury from the real issues. »

Heard described their former relationship as « very toxic ».

« We were awful to each other, » said Heard, who admitted to making a lot of mistakes. « But I always told the truth. »

After the trial, Depp took to Instagram to share a statement about the trial decision and what it meant to him following the allegations against him.

« False, very serious and criminal allegations have been made to me via the media, » he said.

« Six years later, the jury has given my life back to me. I’m truly humbled. »

He expressed his thanks for the support he received on social media during the high-profile case.

The second part of the exclusive interview with Heard will air Wednesday morning on the Today Show. Heard will respond to other allegations made about her in court and share what she thinks of Depp after the trial.

More of the conversation will air Friday on an episode of Dateline NBC at 8 p.m. ET.