MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

'Open and honest': Emma Thompson HAILED for saying Depp v Heard case 'not representative' of #MeToo

Thompson touched on the fear expressed by some that Depp's overwhelming victory could cause women to remain mum on allegations of abuse

Emma Thompson garnered praise after she declared that the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial verdict will not "derail" the #MeToo movement.

The Academy Award winner, 63, spoke out about the case during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. Speaking to host Emma Barnett, Thompson touched on the fear expressed by some that Depp's overwhelming victory could cause women to remain mum on allegations of abuse. The 'Nanny McPhee' actress urged the public to note that the case wasn't "representative" of the #MeToo movement.

RELATED ARTICLES

Billie Eilish SLAMMED for 'diminishing' Depp-Heard trial in lyrics of new song 'TV'

From disbelief to rage: How the mainstream media covered Johnny Depp's victory over Amber Heard

“One of the things that’s very difficult to do is judge an issue like the MeToo issue brings to the fore when you’re dealing with very, very famous people. It’s a whole other thing," Thompson said when asked whether the trial signaled the end of the revolutionary movement. “So actually one of the great issues to do with that case is fame... and how people who are famous are treated differently and viewed differently.”

She continued, “I would say that the MeToo movement is not going to be derailed by that, but in order for it not to be derailed, we just have to keep talking. We have to keep talking and refuse to allow it to be derailed by a case where two very, very, very famous people, which has been blown out of all remote human proportion by the press… that’s something that can’t be avoided.” The 'Love Actually' star added, “But a case where the two protagonists are that famous is not representative, and it’s just very important to remember that. This movement, which is about human kindness and is so simple really and has been made so complicated, cannot and will not be derailed by one case, and that’s not going to happen actually, it simply won’t happen.”

Thompson was lauded on social media following her hopeful remarks. "I have a lot of respect for Emma Thompson and she's one of the very few celebs who I actually believe genuinely cares about the positives of #metoo. She basically said that one liar shouldn't hurt everyone else without taking a side directly. And I agree with that," one tweeted. "Exactly what I said. The Heard/Depp trial was between those 2 & just those 2 the MeToo movement has nothing to do with that & will go on regardless. Anyone who thinks it was damaged was probably against it in the 1st place so can be ignored," another wrote.

"The brilliant Emma Thompson being open and honest. Shame @emmabarnett had to ask such a biased question about the amber heard trial and #metoo mvt. When will you understand that she has been proven that SHE abused HIM, not the other way round?! SHE has spoilt mvt NOT Depp!" someone else offered.

It's worth noting that Thompson has been a vocal supporter of the MeToo movement for years. In 2019, she blasted complaints that the movement left men unsure about how to interact with women. “Get a grip guys, it’s not rocket science. You just behave with respect and courtesy,” she said at the time.

Last week, a Virginia-based jury ruled in a unanimous decision that Heard, 36, defamed Depp, 58, when she called herself a victim of domestic abuse in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post. Heard was ordered to pay $15 million in damages, including $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, before Judge Penney Azcarate reduced the punitive damages to $350,000 as per Virginia state law. The jury also awarded Heard compensatory damages of $2 million as she was defamed when Depp's lawyer Adam Waldman called her abuse allegations a hoax.