Relationship Expert Reveals Johnny Depp And Amber Heard's Biggest Red Flags
The end of any relationship is difficult. When it's a bitter breakup, it can be even worse. When it's the complicated court battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, it's positively nuclear. Following their very public split, Heard published an op-ed in The Washington Post in which she identified herself as a victim of domestic violence; Depp responded by filing a defamation lawsuit, claiming that the article caused him to lose valuable acting jobs because of the implication that he had abused his former wife (via TIME).
The List spoke to relationship expert Jamie Bronstein, host of "Love Talk Live" on LA Radio, who was named the top relationship coach in 2020 by Yahoo Finance, per her website. In her 20 years of experience, she's learned to spot the signs of trouble between partners, and she outlined what she sees as the biggest signs that Depp and Heard's marriage was destined for disaster.
"Many red flags are coming from both parties," says Bronstein. "Amber seems to have instigated fights many times with Johnny, and the fact that she provokes him until he gets upset is immature behavior and a major red flag." She explains that trust was also an issue in the marriage: Heard secretly recorded arguments between herself and Depp, which were presented in court (via The Guardian). "The red flag that presents itself is a significant lack of trust in the relationship and major resentment and anger on both their parts," says Bronstein.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's marriage was doomed to fail
Relationship expert Jamie Bronstein told The List that the public trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is being fueled by both parties' anger and self-control issues. "Amber seems to have more of a temper, while Johnny attempts to keep things calm, although Johnny also has his moments of red flags," she says.
Heard's history of belittling her ex-husband is another sign that the relationship was never healthy, explains Bronstein. She cites one incident — captured on an audio recording — in which the "Aquaman" star allegedly tries to minimize an assault and calls Depp "a f***ing baby" (via Law and Crime). "Name-calling in a relationship is never healthy; it's incredibly detrimental and displays a lack of respect," says Bronstein. "The fact that Amber was physical with Johnny shows she lacks constraint and has unresolved issues that need to be addressed."
That's not to say that Depp was entirely blameless during their marriage. Bronstein pointed out at least one incident where the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star was dangerously manipulative, at one point allegedly urging his wife to take a knife and hurt him, per the Daily Mail. Bronstein cites his substance abuse as another factor in the breakup. "Johnny's heavy drinking and drug use are additional major red flags that can hinder any relationship, especially this one, because Amber is the type of person to lash out."
Whatever the outcome of the defamation case, it's clear that this couple was never a match made in heaven.