The Surprising Thing Johnny Depp Says He Did For Fans Outside The Courthouse
Since the proceedings began on April 11, 2022, the defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has garnered some serious media exposure. According to relationship expert Jaime Bronstein, Depp wanted the attention from a public trial.
Depp's travels to and from court during the trial proceedings have created an excited atmosphere that's more akin to a convention or red-carpet event. According to The New York Times, fans dress up in homage to "Pirates of the Caribbean" and arrive before daybreak in the hopes they will get a seat to watch the case in person. "It's fulfilling a childhood fantasy," said Depp fan Maryam Alam, speaking about the possibility of seeing a celebrity up close. "It's the reason why everyone else is here."
Even onlookers who don't agree with Depp's alleged behavior are showing up to demonstrate their support. Andrea Diaz added to the spectacle when she showed up at the courthouse with two furry friends. "I thought the alpacas might brighten [Depp's] day," she told The Washington Post.
On social media, fans also came out in droves to proclaim their fandom for Depp. On TikTok, #justiceforjohnnydepp went from 1.1 billion views on April 13 and quadrupled two weeks later, according to The New York Times. Depp has received a lot of adulation during these legal proceedings. While the actor is prohibited from handing out autographs, per Daily Mail, Depp recently claimed he offered his supporters an unexpected treat as thanks for their goodwill.
Johnny Depp claimed he served up a waffle breakfast for fans
On May 19, 2022, Johnny Depp's arrival at the Fairfax County courthouse provided another opportunity for fans to get a glimpse of the actor. Depp waved to his admirers while they shouted to get his attention. Turning to the cameras, Depp commented, "I just made breakfast for all of them this morning. Waffles," explaining the crowd's enthusiasm. Depp then greeted the police officers at the doors. He turned and saluted the crowd before walking inside the courthouse, per Independent.
However, fans didn't see any actual waffles, as Depp's remark was only a joke. "He says something lighthearted and funny, to try to like take the edge off ... It's just something funny, just humorous," one fan told FOX 5.
Although the trial involves the serious topic of domestic abuse, people have reveled in the ongoing chance to interact with a celebrity. Depp has received numerous cards and gifts from fans, per Daily Mail.
After 19 days of proceedings, fans observed that Depp's demeanor had changed. "Ever since the first day that he has come here he was a little stressed out," another fan told Fox 5. "But look at him now he's so happy, and we just love to see Johnny happy."
However, Depp shouldn't expect the fans to eat his cooking. If Depp had handed her a waffle, one fan said, "I would put it in resin, keep it forever."
Johnny Depp also served up an impression of one of his beloved characters
In addition to jokes about giving his fans waffles, Johnny Depp has engaged with his supporters and channeled one of his most iconic roles. In a video posted on Twitter on May 18, a fan told Depp "You'll always be Captain Jack Sparrow!"
In response, Depp slipped into Sparrow's voice and replied, "He's still around somewhere. I see him now and again." Before driving away, Depp waved and gave a thumbs up, adding, "Love you guys. Thank you so much."
The actor's absence from the upcoming sixth movie in the beloved "Pirates of the Caribbean" series remains a central piece in a trial that will impact Depp's future. Some individuals have claimed that Amber Heard's 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post caused Depp to lose the role. On May 2, Depp's talent manager, Jack Whigham, told the court, "after the op-ed, it was impossible to get him a studio film," per The New York Times. Whigham claimed Depp had previously secured a verbal confirmation that he would appear in the sixth installment.
However, Tina Newman, a Disney production executive, offered testimony dispelling those claims. In a video deposition presented on May 19, Newman emphatically denied that Heard's op-ed played into the decision-making at all, per Courthouse News. In addition, Tracey Jacobs, Depp's former talent agent, asserted in her testimony that Depp's difficulties in securing acting roles stemmed from his refusal to arrive at work on time.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.