As thetrial of the centurynearsits end, the outcome remains anyone’s guess.
EW separately interviewed two crisis PR experts with years of experience in Hollywood to help find out.
Both spoke under the condition of anonymity so that they could speak freely.
Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
First of all, why have people cared so much about this trial?
Before the accusations flew and the trial began, Depp’s career seemed to be in a death spiral.
“Here’s why we’re all excited to talk about it: It’s trashy!”
Kate Moss testifies in Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against Amber Heard.EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
says our first industry source.
And on top of that, it’s juicy and with famous people, so everyone cares.
Why does Depp seem to be receiving so much public support?
Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against Amber Heard.EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The hashtag #JusticeforJohnnyDepp alone has surpassed 10 billion views on TikTok,according toWired.
“Depp has now re-proven his popularity.
He’s the Fonz, right?”
Amber Heard.STEVE HELBER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“I really think [her team] thought they had much more of a slam dunk.
And both lawyers are bulldogs about all of this.
But are there benefits to him getting his narrative into the public sphere besides his own dedication to truth-telling?
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in 2011.John Phillips/getty
Can they come back from this?
Depp’s career was already in trouble before Heard levied her allegations, but Hollywood loves a comeback story.
There’s too much support.
Look at those protests those are spontaneous things outside the courthouse.”
The source explains, “He came as full-on Johnny Depp, didn’t he?
It reminds all of us of the importance of authenticity.”
“I think for big studios, it’s still a tough sell,” says the first source.
The second source adds, “Twenty years ago, it was a different thing.
But other people certainly will.”
How do you think each has done on the stand?
“And for him, again, he’s playing to a crowd.
He certainly knows how to ham it up; he is still a movie star.
But honestly, I don’t think either of them is doing a great job.”
“you’re free to tell she’s had different people advising her on the crisis side.
They needed to ingratiate her because she never ingratiated herself, period, ever.
How would you have advised them differently?
“It’s hard because we could all Monday-morning-quarterback this stuff,” the first source concedes.
What steps do they each need to take to stage a comeback?
That’s what you have to do in our business.
But if any of that isn’t authentic or real, then it won’t work.”
For a minute, people weren’t as excited at all.
Nobody’s saying that right now."
