Johnny Depp reunites with ex Vanessa Paradis and their kids in Paris before libel case against The Sun begins
Johnny Depp has reunited with his former girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis and their two children, as he gears up to fight a libel case against the News Group Newspapers (NGN) over a 2018 story in the Sun which branded Depp a "wife-beater" - as he continues to vehemently deny allegations of physical abuse during his marriage to Amber Heard.
According to Daily Mail, Depp is currently in Paris, spending some quality time with Paradis and their two children, Lily-Rose, 21, and Jack,18, ahead of the three-week trial that is due to start on Tuesday, July 7. Although Paradis is married to French writer Samuel Benchetrit and prefers to keep her personal life away from the public spotlight, she has been on friendly terms with the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor for the sake of their children.
So much so, that after Depp was accused of repeatedly assaulting the 'Aquaman' actress while married to her, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Paradis stood up for the actor, defending his character. “Johnny Depp is the father of my two children. He is a sensitive, loving and loved person, and I believe with all my heart, that these recent allegations being made are outrageous. In all the years I have known Johnny, he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years," she wrote in a letter, years back.
She also submitted a declaration in the $50 Virginia defamation case that Depp filed against Heard for penning an Op-Ed in the Washington Post where she claimed, without naming names that she was a victim of domestic abuse.
"I work as a musician, singer-songwriter, actress, and fashion model. I have known Johnny Depp for more than 25 years. We’ve been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together. Through all these years I’ve known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father," she said.
She added that the 56-year-old actor had always maintained utmost professional decorum while on sets and she had never witnessed him be disrespectful to anyone. "On movie sets the actors, directors and entire crews adore him because he is humble and respectful to everyone, as well as being one of the best actors we’ve seen," Paradis stated.
The French actress said that the allegations of domestic abuse made by the 'Aquaman' actress, 33, against her ex-partner were "false facts."I am aware of the allegations which Amber Heard has publicly accused Johnny of for more than 4 years now,” Paradis wrote. "This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me. I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing, and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately, people have gone on believing these false facts. This is so upsetting as he has helped so many persons in his personal and professional life, with kindness and generosity."
It is unclear if Paradis will be called in-person to testify from the actor's behalf during the libel trial.