Johnny Depp Slams Hollywood 'Woke' Betrayal, Calls Himself MeToo 'Crash Test Dummy'

Johnny Depp has laid bare the scars of his tumultuous past, calling himself a "crash test dummy for MeToo" in a candid interview with The Times. Reflecting on the domestic abuse allegations leveled by ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp described the ordeal as a public crucifixion that reshaped his life and career. "It had gone far enough," he said, recounting his resolve to fight the claims "to the bitter end" to clear his name for his children and fans.

The 2022 defamation trial, a spectacle of mutual accusations, saw Depp awarded $10 million in damages, while Heard received $2 million. The saga began with Heard’s 2018 op-ed, which, without naming Depp, referenced her as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Depp’s legal team argued it defamed him by implication. "I knew I’d have to semi-eviscerate myself," he admitted, underscoring the personal toll of the battle.

Depp didn’t mince words about Hollywood’s response. "There are people who did me dirty," he said, singling out three former friends who once tossed his kids in the air at parties but abandoned him when the allegations surfaced. He accused the industry of "playing it safe" and "going woke," leaving him to absorb the fallout alone. Yet, he harbors no regrets: "What can we do about last week’s dinner? Not a thing."

Despite the scandal, which he likened to a "televised soap opera," Depp has returned to work, including a role in Day Drinker with Penelope Cruz. Still, he shuns the spotlight, preferring isolation over fame’s glare. "I’m stuck with my thoughts, watching weird stuff on YouTube," he quipped, admitting he’s happiest as a recluse. Hollywood may have moved on, but Depp’s fight for truth—and his disdain for its fickle loyalties—remains raw.