Amber Heard claimed that her high-profile trial for defamation was the "most humiliating thing" she'd ever experienced. However, even with the backlash that made it seem "less than human", she defends every word of her testimony.
Savannah Guthrie was interviewed by the actor for the first time since Johnny Depp, her ex-husband, had accused her of defaming her. Heard claimed that Depp had repeatedly abused her throughout their relationship.
Heard answered the question "To my death, I'll stand behind every word of your testimony."
Guthrie spoke to her one week after the verdict was declared. It was a difficult conclusion to swallow, she said.
"How could it be? It's difficult and surreal. Partly, yes. Heard stated that this was a long-awaited event.
The public was able to look into the turbulent marriage of the actors and post a torrent on Twitter and TikTok for Depp.
"I believe that the vast majority of this trial took place on social media. This trial is a prime example of this. Heard stated that the jury is not immune to this.
She also stated that she believed some of the posts were seen by the jury.
"How could they? Heard stated that even jurors with the best intentions would not be able to avoid it.
She said that she was confronted with a barrage Depp fans as she arrived at courthouse during the trial.
"Every day, I passed from three to four, sometimes six, blocks -- city blocks lined by people holding signs that said, "Burn witch," or "Death To Amber." She stated, "After three and a quarter weeks, I took up the stand and saw a packed courtroom full of Captain Jack Sparrow supporters who were vocal, energized."
"This was the most horrible and humiliating thing I have ever experienced. I've never felt so disconnected from my humanity. She added that she felt less human than ever before.
A preview of Heard's interview aired Monday. She said that she didn't blame the jury for their decision and cited Depp's fame.
"I don’t blame them. I really understand. People feel that they know him and he's a beloved role. She said that he is a great actor."
Heard reaffirmed her claims in court and said she told the truth.
"That was all I said. She said, "I spoke it to power and paid the price."
Guthrie asked her about Depp's claims that she was the abuser and instigated violence in their relationship.
"I have never been asked to initiate it. It was a question I answered. You have to adapt when you live in violence, as I testified.
Guthrie mentioned that Depp claimed he had never hit Heard and then asked: "Is it a lie?"
She said, "Yes, it is."
Heard acknowledged that she regretted leaving Depp's relationship and said, "I have so many regrets."
"I did and said terrible, regrettable things throughout our relationship. She said that I behaved in terrible, almost unrecognizable ways.
"I freely, openly and voluntarily spoke out about the things I did. I spoke out about the terrible language. Heard said, "I talked about being pushed so far that I didn't know the difference between right or wrong."
She said, "I will always feel like I was part of this, as if I were the other half of that relationship because I was. It was both ugly and beautiful. It was extremely toxic. It was a terrible thing to be with each other. Although I made many mistakes, I always tell the truth.
Depp was unable to attend the verdict because of a prior work commitment. She sued for $50m in damages for an op-ed piece by Heard in The Washington Post in 2018. In it, she claimed she had become "a public figure representing domestic abuse."
Depp was not mentioned in the essay, but his lawyers said that it refers to accusations she made against him during their 2016 separation.
Heard sued Depp for $100 Million. This claim was based on three statements that his former attorney Adam Waldman made in 2020 to The Daily Mail in which he called her abuse allegations a "hoax".
The jury found Heard guilty of defaming Depp on June 1 and awarded him $15 million in damages. His total damages were $10.4 million after the sum of $5million in punitive damages was reduced by $350,000 (the state's legal cap or legal limit).
Heard was also awarded $2 million in compensatory damages in her counterclaim, but not punitive damages.
Elaine Bredehoft was previously notified by Heard's lawyer that Heard intended to appeal the $10.4 million judgment.
