“It’s not just me that this has happened to, it’s happened to a lot of people,” said Depp who has decried cancel culture.
Following his high-profile legal quarrel in recent months, Johnny Depp recently went on record to reveal that he was a victim of the now-rampant “cancel culture,” a phenomenon which the actor deems as “complex.”
“It can be seen as an event in history that lasted for however long it lasted, this cancel culture, this instant rush to judgment based on what essentially amounts to polluted air that is exhaled,” said Depp during a press conference ahead of his acceptance of the honorary Donostia Award at this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival.
Speaking about his personal sake amid the speedy judgment of social media, Depp claims he still feels secure, though according to Variety, it took the star several false starts on his way to what seems like the safest response: “The various movements that came out with, I’m sure the best of intentions…”
“It’s so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe. Not one of you. Not one of you… as long as someone is willing to say one sentence. It takes just one sentence and there is no more ground. The carpet has been pulled.”
Depp appeared to be referring to his heated libel case with UK publication The Sun which labeled him as a “wife-beater,” a case which he lost last year. The unlikely verdict led to Depp being dropped by Warner Bros. from its Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Without delving into details, Depp continued parsing cancel culture: “It’s not just me that this has happened to, it’s happened to a lot of people. This type of thing has happened to women, men, and children who have suffered from various types of unpleasantries.
“I believe that if you are armed with the truth, then that’s all you need. It doesn’t matter if a judgement, per se, has taken some artistic license.”
“Sadly at a certain point they begin to think that it’s normal. Or that it’s them. When it’s not.”
Currently, Depp is deeply entangled in a legal row with his ex-wife Amber Heard, who had gone public with her accusations of Depp being a domestic abuser following their 2016 divorce. In 2018, she penned an op-ed in the Washington Post about enduring domestic abuse without openly citing Depp, a case that the latter is now contesting.
Since then, Depp’s supporters have cried foul over Heard getting to keep her big-ticket movie roles while Depp was swiftly axed despite claiming innocence.
“I believe that if you are armed with the truth, then that’s all you need. It doesn’t matter if a judgement, per se, has taken some artistic license. When there’s an injustice, whether it’s against you or someone you love, or someone you believe in — stand up, don’t sit down. ‘Cause they need you,” said Depp.
In conclusion, Depp prodded members of the press as well as his online audience to stand up against prejudice: “When there is an injustice, whether it’s against you or someone you love, or someone you believe in, stand up, don’t sit down. Don’t sit down on ’em, they need you.”
Art Daniella Sison
