As the court presiding over the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard case is in recess until May 16, those keeping up with the case have been keeping busy on TikTok.
According to the latest reports, a bizarre trend sweeping the social media platform has short videos ridiculing Heard’s testimony against Depp amassing millions of views online. Variety reports that videos or audios from the trial see creators dramatically imitating Heard, mocking her and even performing dances to the same.
The portal quotes TikTok’s website and states that videos with the hashtag “amberturd” have been viewed more than 1.2 billion times to date. Among the top viewed videos, was one belonging to @sansanjovs, which features a mocking reenactment of Heard's testimony. The clip has been viewed nearly 10 million times.
Another video featuring a cross over between Heard's emotionally testimony and a clip of Kim Kardashian in a judge’s robe from a "Saturday Night Live" sketch amassed over 30 million views in five days. The clip has Kim declaring, "Ew, this is so cringe. Guilty!"
Heard seeks to throw out verdict in Depp defamation trial
Meanwhile, the social media platform, TikTok, has reportedly removed several videos which they say violated their anti-bullying policies. According to the report, TikTok’s Community Guidelines state in part that it prohibits 'Content that disparages victims of violent tragedies.' In addition, per the platform's policies, "We remove expressions of abuse, including threats or degrading statements intended to mock, humiliate, embarrass, intimidate or hurt an individual."
However, numerous other videos that excerpt audio and/or video from Heard’s testimony and use it in a disparaging way still remained on the platform Monday afternoon, states Variety.
Amber Heard broke down on the witness stand last week as she testified against her ex-husband and said that he sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle and threatened her life shortly after they got hitched. Heard told jurors about several instances when Depp allegedly hit her, screamed at her and even shoved her to the ground.
Depp, testified earlier in the trial that he never hit Heard and argued that she was the one who was the abuser.
The star of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films is suing Heard, for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse. Heard has counter-sued for $100 million, arguing Depp smeared her by calling her a liar.
Depp, once among Hollywood's biggest stars, said Heard's allegations cost him "everything." A new 'Pirates' movie was put on hold, and Depp was replaced in the 'Fantastic Beasts' film franchise, a 'Harry Potter' spinoff.
Heard's attorneys have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was protected as free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.
Closing arguments of the case are scheduled for May 27.
