Content Warning: This article discusses sexual violence and rape.
As Johnny Depp’s libel lawsuit against UK tabloid The Sun continues, more and more shocking revelations about his relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard emerge with each new day of court proceedings. Most recently, Amber Heard’s former personal assistant has accused the actress of “stealing” her story of sexual violence and “twisting” it for her own benefit.
“Ms. Heard referred to a conversation we had about me being violently raped at machete point in Brazil and she used it as her own story,” Heard’s former PA Kate James told the court, via Page Six.
“She referred directly to a violent rape that occured to me 26 years ago and she twisted it into her own story and she used it for her own use,” she added.
According to Page Six, James only realised Heard had “used” her story when she was sent court documents related to the case.
“As I perused the documents, much to my utter shock and dismay, I discovered that Ms. Heard had in fact stolen my sexual violence conversation with her and twisted it into her own story to benefit herself,” she explained in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail.
“This of course caused me extreme distress and outrage that she would dare to attempt to use the most harrowing experience of my life as her own narrative,” she added.
James has testified as part of Johnny Depp’s libel case against The Sun over a 2018 article that said he was a “wife-beater.” Depp vehemently denies ever hitting Heard.
“I’m a sexual violence survivor and that’s very, very serious to take that stance if you are not one and I am one,” James reportedly told the court. “That’s the reason I’m here, because I take offense.”
Throughout court proceedings, we’ve learned about events leading up to Depp and Heard’s highly publicised split including reports the actress “may have pooped in their bed as a ‘prank’”, that Depp’s finger tip was severed during a violent row between the pair and that actor James Franco is somehow involved in the mess.
Speaking of high profile celebrity divorces, hear about Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt below:
It’s hard to know how this case will end, but one thing is for certain, the allegations coming from Amber Heard’s former assistant are incredibly serious and utterly heartbreaking if true.
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If you, or anyone you know is a victim of sexual violence, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028 for support.