Johnny Depp had previously been in a relationship with Winona Ryder, Kate Moss, and Vanessa Paradis before meeting Amber Heard on The Rum Diary in 2009. The couple began dating between 2011 and 2012, and two years later, they were engaged to be married. A year after the couple got married, Heard filed for divorce in 2016 while accusing him of physical abuse. After reaching an out-of-court settlement of $7 million, their divorce was finalized in 2017.

Even after a non-disparagement clause was added to the settlement, Amber Heard publicly stated herself as a victim of domestic abuse. Depp filed a $50 million lawsuit, with Heard filing a $50 million countersuit claiming that the actor defamed her using the trial via fake claims. On April 11, 2022, the trial began with Depp’s side testifying. The frequently asked questions about the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Defamation Lawsuit are answered.

10 Who Is Suing Whom And Why?

Based on an op-ed published by Amber Heard in The Washington Post in 2018, Johnny Depp is suing Amber Heard for defamation as she claimed she was a ‘public figure representing domestic abuse,’ implying that she was abused during her marriage to Depp. Based on the op-ed, Heard was named the Women’s Rights Ambassador at ACLU, and Depp filed a defamation lawsuit worth $50 million.

RELATED: What Happened Between Johnny Depp And Ricky Gervais?

9 Why Is The Trial In Fairfax, Virginia?

After Heard reportedly defamed Johnny Depp via the op-ed published, the online edition of The Post was published via the servers in Fairfax County in Virginia, which makes it eligible for Depp to sue Amber Heard. While Heard’s lawyers tried to move the trial to California, there was resistance from Depp’s team as Virginia State has a wide-ranging anti-SLAPP policy.

Johnny Depp hired a major international law firm, Brown Rudnick, to represent him for the trial. The team consists of Ben Chew, Andrew Crawford, Stephanie Calnan, Rebecca MacDowell Lecaroz, Jessica Meyers, and Camille Vasquez. Amber Heard’s legal team is from the Wood Rodgers firm in Virginia. Her lead attorneys are Ben Rottenborn and Elaine Bredehoft.

7 Who Is Johnny Depp’s Friend, Isaac Baruch?

Many of Johnny Depp’s friends and associates have testified on his behalf despite the ongoing battle. The second person to take the stand was Depp’s friend Isaac Baruch, a part of the actor’s life for many years. Baruch is a painter, and he became a popular figure on social media for his unbiased testimony about Depp and Heard.

6 What Has Happened So Far?

Heard and Depp have both testified as they shared allegations against each other. They have recounted their versions of the relationship on the set of The Rum Diary, their marriage, and the spiral. Several witnesses have taken the stand to testify for Johnny Depp, including his sister Christi Dembrowski, house manager Ben King, and psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry.

According to the reports, Amber Heard had announced that she would donate $7 million from her divorce settlement to ACLU; however, the actress has not completed the pledge. The organization’s general counsel testified that they received $1.3 million from Heard and $500,000 donated from the Vanguard Fund under Elon Musk. Heard said during her trial that Depp accused her of having an affair with James Franco. While Franco was mentioned as a witness for Heard, he may not testify.

RELATED: What James Franco Has To Do With The Johnny Depp And Amber Heard Trial

4 Why Was Paul Bettany Mentioned During The Trial?

Johnny Depp and Paul Bettany have been long-time friends and starred in three movies. During Depp’s testimony, he claimed that Heard was jealous of his friendship with Bettany and thought of him as a threat to their relationship. Bettany was also mentioned during cross-examination as Depp exchanged explicit texts about Heard with him. Depp has claimed that Heard would bully Bettany’s son and make him cry.

3 When Will Amber Heard Be Cross-Examined?

Amber Heard testified for two days in court during the first week of May before the trial took a one-week break. Heard made several claims of abuse while she was on the stand. Depp’s team is set to cross-examine after she finishes her testimonies and the court hears from her witnesses.

2 Who Have Been The Expert Witnesses In The Trial So Far?

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp had their psychologist come forward as witnesses to testify in court to defend their sides. Depp presented psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry who diagnosed Amber Heard with a personality disorder. Heard’s psychologist Dawn Hughes claimed that Heard showed effects of trauma.

RELATED: Johnny Depp Vs. Amber Heard: Who Lost More Money After Divorce?

1 Who Is Expected To Testify At The Trial Next?

After Heard finishes her testimony after the trial resumes, Johnny Depp is expected to return to the stand as a witness on behalf of the defense after testifying for himself a few weeks ago. Amber Heard’s sister Whitney Henriques and actress Ellen Barkin are set to testify on Heard’s behalf as they did the same for the UK trial.

The ongoing trial has dropped a lot of bombshell anecdotes from Depp and Heard’s side as the lawsuit proceeds. The trial will last for another week, with Heard’s testimony and cross-examination still in process. The trial will resume on May 16, 2022, in Fairfax County, Virginia.