Although there are some people that refrain from looking at social media or excessive amounts of news sources, almost everyone has learned about or heard of the ongoing Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial. It’s an ongoing saga between the largely accredited actors referring to events that allegedly took place during the pairs’ 16-month marriage. 

The allegations began when Heard said she was a victim of domestic violence continuously throughout her marriage and overall relationship. Although she didn’t mention Depp by name because he was a celebrity, it was obvious to the public eye who Heard was referring to. Depp then sued her for his defamation of character when Heard described herself as a victim and an advocate of abuse in an opinion article in the Washington Post in 2018. 

The official trial, taking place in a courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, began on April 11th and is planned to continue until May 23rd. 

Since the trial is fairly complicated, many Tik Tok accounts have been giving the rundown frequently. “I really didn’t even know about the trial until I saw a video of the makeup company revoking Amber Heard’s evidence,” says Nandini Trivedi (10), “I’m definitely intrigued now, that’s for sure.”

Amber Heard, during the pair’s marriage, recorded multiple arguments, including one in which she said to Johnny “tell them, ‘I, Johnny Depp, am a victim of domestic abuse…and see how many people believe or side with you.’” But Heard’s lawyers claim that any recordings involving Depp being hit by Heard were all in retaliation and self-defense. Depp’s lawyers also retrieved a video depicting Heard saying to Depp, who was allegedly trying to de-escalate the situation by leaving, not to go, and that he should stay. For whatever reason she may have said this, public opinion is assuming it to mean that Heard was the true instigator of arguments and abuse.

Heard’s testimony this week detailed allegations of abuse against Depp, which involved him as the instigator. Including him headbutting her, which resulted in her having to wear heavy makeup the next day on the James Corden Show. With this, Heard says Depp’s addictions over the years fed into the abuse of their relationship, Depp, in contrast, alleges that although he has faced many addictions, none of them caused him to be abusive. 

Public opinion has been having mixed opinions about the tones of society this case has described. Some say that Heard’s allegations were believed right away after she wrote her Washington Post article due to the fact that she’s a woman, others say that many have taken the side of Depp since he’s a well-known male actor. No matter the outcome of this trial, since it’s already caught the attention of the majority of the public eye, the case will remain a topic of discussion for some time.