Amber’s $13m hell: What the Johnny Depp verdict means for Amber Heard.

Amber Heard has suffered a crushing defeat in her defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. Here’s what that means for the star’s future.

Following an intense trial riding on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse, a US jury has found mainly in favour of Johnny Depp over claims his ex-wife Amber Heard defamed him.

We look at what the fallout will be – professionally and personally – for Heard.

US actress Amber Heard arrives to hear the verdict in the Depp v. Heard trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia. Picture: AFP

WHAT HEARD WILL PAY

The seven-member jury in Virginia awarded Depp US$15m (A$20m) in damages after finding a 2018 article penned by Heard in the Washington Post on the “sexual violence” she had suffered was defamatory to Depp.

But the jury also found Heard was defamed by statements made by Depp’s lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail that her abuse claims were a “hoax,” and awarded her US$2m (A$2.7m) in damages.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in better days. Picture: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

WHAT THE LOSS COULD MEAN FOR HEARD’S CAREER

Hollywood insiders told News Corp Australia they feared Heard’s career was now “completely over” in light of the verdict. The star’s contract with global beauty brand L’Oreal has also reportedly been put “on hold”.

Heard’s role in Aquaman 2 (she was a lead in the first film) was significantly reduced after the fallout from her split from Depp. Concerns around her “chemistry” with actor Jason Momoa were raised in court and it has been revealed she now has just 10 minutes of actual screen time in the film.

Johnny Depp garnered huge support from fans. Picture: AFP

Heard testified that her role in the film was “pared down” because of the Depp controversy, though DC Films President Walter Hamada testified that her part was never intended to be central to the sequel, describing it as a “buddy-comedy” between Momoa and Patrick Wilson.

The ex-couple engaged in a bitter war of words. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Heard said she “fought really hard to stay in” Aquaman’s sequel when “they didn’t want to include me in the film.” The actress also finished work on an independent movie titled In the Fire right before the trial began in April. “That’s a wrap!” she wrote on Instagram March 28, sharing a photo of herself leaping on a mountainside in her 19th-century costume for the thriller.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HEARD

Heard, who has a baby daughter Oonagh, could retreat back to her California compound, where she lives, way outside of Los Angeles in Ucca Valley, near Joshua Tree. Hollywood sources told News Corp the star could possibly write a book about her experiences, although losing the case could make this problematic.

JOHNNY DEPP’S STATEMENT IN FULL

Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.

All in the blink of an eye.

False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career.

And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.

My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.

From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.

I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.

I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.

The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.

Veritas numquam perit.

Truth never perishes.

AMBER HEARD’S STATEMENT IN FULL

“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband. I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously. I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK. I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly.”