During the highly publicized defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, many viewers noticed that Depp avoided making eye contact with his ex-wife. This distinctive choice sparked curiosity and speculation amongst the audience. The trial, which was closely followed worldwide in 2022, concluded with a victory for Depp, who had sued Heard for $50 million over a 2018 op-ed she penned for The Washington Post. Although Depp wasn’t explicitly named, his legal team argued that the article insinuated he was abusive during their marriage.
As the proceedings were live-streamed, viewers watched intently as Heard stood on the witness stand, facing cross-examination by Depp’s attorney, Camille Vasquez. Noticing the lack of eye contact, Vasquez pointedly asked Heard, “Mr. Depp hasn’t looked at you once this entire trial, has he?” Heard acknowledged that she hadn’t noticed any eye contact and admitted she had looked at him several times. This interaction was captured during one of the trial’s pivotal moments, raising questions about Depp’s behavior.
Vasquez later clarified the reason behind Depp’s refusal to meet Heard’s gaze, suggesting a deeply personal vow was at play. She challenged Heard, “You know exactly why Mr. Depp won’t look back at you, don’t you? He promised you would never see his eyes again, isn’t that true?” This was substantiated by a recording from their last encounter in 2016, where Depp is heard saying, “We won’t have to see each other again. You will not see my eyes again.” Despite this, Heard maintained that it was not a matter of choice but rather that Depp ‘could not’ look at her.
The jury ultimately sided with Depp, awarding him $15 million in damages after a six-week trial. The entire saga, including these revealing courtroom exchanges, can now be revisited in the Netflix documentary “Depp v. Heard.”
For those intrigued by the details of this legal battle and the dynamics between the former couple, “Depp vs Heard” offers an in-depth look at the trial that captivated millions. The documentary is available for streaming on Netflix.