The Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial has swept the media and has been a topic of interest for many for the past six weeks. Depp is suing his ex-wife, Amber Heard for fifty million dollars over defamation charges for an op-ed she wrote in a 2018 Washington Post issue, causing Depp’s public and working reputation to be tarnished. In response, Heard countersued Depp for one hundred million dollars claiming he abused her throughout their marriage, ending in 2016 after Heard filed for divorce.

The trial has been circulating the internet for weeks, while people express their support or disdain for the celebrity court case. People continue to make speculations about the trial and its subjects, causing fans to get involved and creating jokes online. 

Among the wild conspiracies surrounding the trial, one theory suggests that Heard has been doing drugs to stay alert. These rumors are most likely fake, but make Heard look like she is not taking the trial seriously. Others believe she has been playing mind games on her ex-husband by copying what he wears to trial. While one could say that it was just a coincidence, the fact that she wore the same tie with the exact same embroidery shows that it was most likely intentional.

According to Newsweek.com, “On April 13, Heard wore a fitted, double-breasted blazer and necktie combo to court. The tie featured a small embroidered bee on the front. Oddly enough, Depp wore the exact same Gucci tie featuring the small embroidered bee previously, on the first day of the trial.” 

While it seems most of the internet is on Depp’s side, he is not safe from conspiracies surrounding his own behavior during the trial. After speculation arose that Depp may have been dating his lawyer, Camille Vasquez, because of the almost flirtatious way they acted towards each other in the courtroom. However, fans were quick to debunk this theory. Paparazzi questioned Vasquez, who denied a relationship with the star, and it was later revealed that she is dating someone else.  

Sophomore Liza Madore of Atlantic Highlands who has been following the trial every day shared her thoughts on the trial.

 “While I do think that Heard was abusive during the relationship, the trial is mainly arguing defamation,” Madore said. “What we need to keep in mind is that Johnny was an addict and was already on sort of a downfall when Heard ruined his reputation, as he claimed, with her article.”

It is debatable whether having a trial as a celebrity is a good thing, because it allows fans to make assumptions based on their loyalties to one person. The popular hashtag “#JusticeForJohnny” has been circulating Twitter and other social media platforms since the beginning of the trial, and a petition on Change.org has over 725,000 signatures from fans who wish to bring Depp back into working with Disney.

The overwhelming amount of support for Depp has made the trial very one sided, because like many viral internet disputes people will believe what the majority believes without doing research of their own. The one-sidedness is unfair because it only makes people support Depp’s side while taking Heard’s testimony as a joke. Depp’s supportive fans overshadow the claims filed against him, because they do not pay attention to the fact that he was accused of being abusive.

“I do not like Amber Heard but there are still two sides to the story that people on the internet do not pay attention to because they hate Amber Heard,” Madore said.

The internet seems to hate Amber Heard, but does not take into account whether or not there are some things Depp could be held accountable that are overlooked solely because of his fame in cinema and his die-hard fans. 

The trial reached a verdict on Friday, June 3rd. According to the Washington Post, “The jury awarded Depp $15 million in damages and Heard $2 million — for defamatory comments made by Depp’s lawyer.” While many people are happy that Depp won the case, those who defended Heard are left to believe that the trial was unfair and biased because of Depp’s reputation.