Amber Heard says speaking out about Johnny Depp’s alleged sexual violence was the ‘scariest thing’

April Curtin

Heard also claimed she still loves Depp, in her first interview since the trial ended

Speaking out about alleged sexual violence was the “scariest, most intimidating thing,” Amber Heard has said.

The Aquaman actor made the comment in her first interview since the end of the recent defamation case, which she lost to ex-husband and fellow actor Johnny Depp on June 1.

Heard’s full interview with NBC’s Savannah Guthrie aired on Dateline on Friday night.

Speaking to Guthrie about the trial, Heard said: “I know the scariest, most intimidating thing for anybody talking about sexual violence is not being believed, being called a liar, or being humiliated.”

She added: “As silly as it is to say this out loud, my goal is – I just want people to see me as a human being.”

Heard also claimed that a “binder” of therapist’s notes and text messages could have led jurors to reach a different verdict, as she claimed they proved her allegation of physical and sexual abuse. But the jury was not shown these messages after the judge ruled them to be inadmissible.

In a text message Amber Heard claims to have sent to her therapist on 16 December 2015, she wrote: “Johnny did a number on me tonight. I’m safe and with my support tonight but I need some real help. Can I come tomorrow. I called earlier because I thought I had a concussion and didn’t know if I should have called police. But I have a nurse close to me.”

Responding to Heard’s interview the day before it aired, Depp’s team said: “It’s unfortunate that while Johnny is looking to move forward with his life, the defendant and her team are back to repeating, reimagining and re-litigating matters that have already been decided by the court and a verdict that was unequivocally decided by a jury in Johnny’s favor.”

Heard also said she fears that Depp could sue her for defamation again during her interview with Ms Guthrie.

Johnny Depp smokes during a break at the trial (Photo: Getty)

She said: “I’m scared that no matter what I do, no matter what I say or how I say it, every step I take will present another opportunity for this sort of silencing. Which is what I guess a defamation lawsuit is meant to do, it’s meant to take your voice.”

Heard is expected to appeal the verdict of the trial. In the meantime, she told Guthrie: “I look forward to living my life and I have a long one, I hope, in front of me. And I will continue to walk through this with my chin up.”

The actor also said she still loves Johnny Depp and has “no bad feelings or ill will” against him.

Johnny Depp and his lawyer Camille Vasquez are set to return to court in July as the actor must now defend himself against claims that he physically assaulted a crew member on the set of City of Lies in 2017.

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