Aquaman actress Amber Heard took the stand on Wednesday for the first time in the weeks-long defamation suit filed by her ex-husband, actor Johnny Depp.
“This is the most painful and difficult thing I have ever gone through,” Heard said. “It's horrible for me to sit here for weeks and relive everything.”
Seated directly across from Depp, Heard sometimes blushed when she recounted the affection and gifts the Pirates of the Caribbean star lavished upon her, her friends and her family.
After meeting her on the set of The Rum Diary, Depp sent Heard designer dresses, rare books and once even tried to buy her a horse, which she declined, the actress said. Depp soon invited her to holiday on his private island and developed a unique rapport with her father.
“Sometimes I’m surprised my father didn’t marry him,” she said in a relaxed moment.
Then her evidence turned to a moment when Heard asked Depp about a tattoo on his arm that reads: “Wino Forever” — altered from “Winona Forever” — from his previous relationship with actress Winona Ryder.
Thinking it was a joke, Heard laughed.
“He slapped me across the face,” Heard said. “I didn't know what was going on. I just stared at him.”
Heard said he slapped her two more times and said, “You think it's funny, [expletive]?”
The What’s Eating Gilbert Grape star is suing Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she claimed that she was a victim of domestic abuse.
Heard has counter-sued for $100m, saying Depp smeared her by calling her a liar.
The case hinges on a December 2018 opinion piece she wrote for The Washington Post. The article never mentioned Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear Heard was referencing him.
The couple's divorce was finalised in 2017 after less than two years of marriage.
Depp has said during the trial that he had never hit Heard and that she was the one who was the abuser in their relationship.
She said that after slapping her, Depp got down on his knees, cried and promised her that he would never “let that monster out again” and that she decided to stay.
“I was in love,” she said. “I didn't want to leave him. I didn't want this to be the reality.”
Heard said that Depp would disappear for days and return, saying that he was sober and then it would be “magical”.
"I fell head over heels in love with this man," she said. "When I was with him I felt that, you know, electricity in my body. I felt like butterflies. I couldn't see straight."
Depp kept his head down and scribbled on a notebook for most of the time Heard was giving evidence about his violent, drug-induced behaviour, which often brought her to tears.
"Johnny on speed is very different from Johnny on opiates. Johnny on opiates is very different from Adderall and cocaine Johnny, which is very different from quaaludes Johnny," she said.
It is expected that her testimony will continue on Thursday.
Heard's lawyers have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was free speech protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
A state court judge in Virginia's Fairfax County, outside the nation's capital, is overseeing the trial, which is expected to last until late May.
Less than two years ago, Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labelled him a “wife beater”. A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.
The trial, now in its fourth week, continues to capture public attention. More than 100 people were lined up on Wednesday before 7am — three hours before proceedings began — outside the courthouse for the 100 seats made available in the courtroom. Most were Depp supporters and fans.
Agencies contributed to this report
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
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The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
