Dakota Johnson appeared to be disengaged from her past co-star Johnny Depp's legal turmoil. The high-profile legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard captivated global attention, becoming one of the most sensational court cases in recent memory. Prominent figures like Paul Bettany, Elon Musk, and James Franco were mentioned during the trial. Dakota Johnson found herself unexpectedly anxious due to a viral video that suggested she might be a key witness.
The Viral Video That Sparked Concern
Last year, the defamation lawsuit between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp seized public interest. A viral video titled "The Exact Moment Dakota Johnson Knew Amber Heard Was Violent Toward Johnny Depp" circulated online. In the video, Depp seemed to show Johnson his injured finger, which was not submitted as evidence, during the promotion of their film Black Mass at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. Johnson feared that the video's attention might lead to her being called to the stand.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Johnson expressed her confusion and desire to be excluded from the case. She said, "Why on Earth am I a part of this? I don't remember any of it, so please remove me from this situation. The thought of being summoned to testify is horrifying."
The Trial's Dramatic Moments
During the court proceedings, Depp claimed that Heard was responsible for his severed fingertip during an altercation in Australia in March 2015. Heard, however, refuted this allegation. Johnson was taken aback by the public's intense scrutiny of the trial. She remarked, "It's astonishing that people are treating this trial like some sort of spectacle. It's heartbreaking and utterly bizarre. The internet can be a perilous place."
The Problem with Cancel Culture
In the same Vanity Fair interview, Johnson touched upon the issue of cancel culture, although she didn't specifically mention Depp or Heard. She argued that people are capable of growth and transformation. "My issue with cancel culture is the notion of erasing someone as if they were a mere appointment. The purpose of life is to learn and evolve. Harmful actions have consequences, but the idea of social media determining someone's existence is frightening and cruel."
The Aftermath of the Depp-Heard Trial
Amber Heard initiated divorce proceedings and filed a restraining order against Johnny Depp in 2016. The couple first met on the set of The Rum Diary in 2011 and became the subject of media scrutiny after Heard penned an op-ed in The Washington Post discussing her experience with domestic abuse.
A libel case in London concluded with Justice Andrew Nicol ruling in favor of The Sun newspaper. Both Depp and Heard testified, and as a result of the judgment, Depp lost significant roles in the Fantastic Beasts series and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
The defamation lawsuit between Depp and Heard took another shocking turn last year. After a six-week trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, the jury found in favor of Depp on three counts and against Heard on one. Depp was awarded approximately $10 million in damages, while Heard received $2 million, which she later contested. The two finally settled in December 2022.