A new book by journalist Nick Wallis will delve into the tumultuous marriage and legal battles of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Titled "Depp v Heard: The Unreal Story," the book, which will be released on May 17, focuses on the shocking trials that took place after the couple's highly publicized separation in 2016. According to Wallis, the book aims to analyze the evidence presented in both the UK and US trials and uncover the truth behind the contentious relationship between the two celebrities.
Using a combination of conflicting testimony, witness statements, transcripts, texts, emails, photographs, and other documents from both trials, the book presents an objective account that allows readers to draw their own informed conclusions about the events. Wallis explains that the book addresses how the UK courts came to believe Amber Heard's version of events, while an American jury ruled in favor of Johnny Depp.
As a freelance journalist and broadcaster, Wallis has worked for renowned media outlets such as the BBC, Private Eye, and ITN. He claims to be the only journalist to have extensively covered both trials. Wallis states that he was present in London court almost every day in 2020, observing Depp's libel case against The Sun, which had accused him of domestic violence.
Wallis also asserts that he attended every day of the Virginia trial in which Depp won his defamation case against Amber Heard. The case pertained to a 2018 op-ed the actress wrote for the Washington Post, in which she identified herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.
According to reports, "The Unreal Story" provides readers with a glimpse into the sexual politics, culture wars, and immense social media attention surrounding the high-profile trials.
Wallis, the author of the book, referred to the former couple as "two troubled but fascinating human beings" attempting to navigate their way in the world. He asserted that the couple's highly publicized legal battles played out on a global stage, and while some considered the ordeal sordid or grim, he did not.
The book's chapter titles are a tribute to some of the Virginia trial's most significant headlines, including "The Tattoo Incident," "The Disco Bloodbath," "The Plane Kick," "The Bottle Rape," and "The Closed Fist Punch."
Wallis stated that neither Johnny Depp nor Amber Heard had direct or indirect involvement in the book, to the best of his knowledge. A representative for Depp declined to comment when contacted by The Post on Friday.
The Post contacted a representative for Amber Heard for comment on the book but did not receive a response.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard first met on the set of the movie "The Rum Diary," directed by Bruce Robinson, in 2009. The couple dated for two years before getting engaged in 2014 and tying the knot on Depp's private island the following year.
However, just 15 months later, Heard filed for divorce, and the couple's split was finalized in 2016. In 2018, Heard authored an op-ed that led Depp to file a $50 million defamation lawsuit against her.
In 2022, a Virginia jury awarded Depp $5 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages. The jury also awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages in her counterclaim, but no punitive damages were awarded.
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