For Every Time Amber Heard Has Been Controversial, This Moment Stands Above The Rest

The following article contains allegations of domestic violence.

When it comes to Amber Heard, it's almost hard to sift through all the controversy that has beleaguered the "Aquaman 2" star in recent years. Her divorce from Johnny Depp in 2017 isn't just one controversy but one comprised of a constellation of hotly debated moments, with accusations of domestic violence volleyed from both sides. For instance, stylist Samantha McMillen testified that she "could see clearly that Ms. Heard did not have any visible marks, bruises, cuts, or injuries" the day after an alleged incident of domestic violence, per Daily Mail.

There has also been the contested issue over whether Heard donated her $7 million divorce settlement to the ACLU and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles as promised, per Deadline. In March 2021, Depp's legal team claimed Heard failed to fulfill her vow, characterizing it as a "calculated and manipulative lie" weaponized to sway court opinion toward her. Heard's lawyer, meanwhile, said that the promised donations were "delayed" due to her legal fees but would be fulfilled.

Depp also alleged in a 2020 libel suit against The Sun's publisher that Heard had a "three-way affair" with Cara Delevingne and Elon Musk, per the Daily Mail. Given all of these murky scandals, however, the following moment still stands out as Heard's most controversial. 

Johnny's Depp's 2020 libel lawsuit against The Sun's publisher and his defamation trial against Amber Heard brought to light an incident that would set the internet on fire. Discussion in both cases touched on an explosive fight the pair had following Heard's birthday party at their penthouse in 2016. Depp claimed in his testimony that Heard berated him and struck him during this argument, prompting him to leave.

As Heard left for Coachella the following morning, Depp considered the timing ideal to return to the penthouse to pick up some of his things. His security guard Sean Bett, however, insisted it wasn't a good time to do so. "I had received some news that was as absurd and grotesque and cruel, and then I was shown a picture of what the problem was," Depp testified on April 20, 2022.

"On my side of the bed was human fecal matter," he explained, suggesting that Heard or a friend had done it. "My initial response was, I mean, I laughed. It was so outside, it was so bizarre and so grotesque that I could only laugh." Depp previously claimed his ex-wife had told their estate manager it was "a harmless prank," but Heard denies this account, noting their dog had left the mess. "I don't think that's funny," she said. "I was not also in a pranking mood, my life was falling apart ... that's disgusting." Unfortunately, the mystery poo would become the center of a very different kind of storm.

Why is this the controversy of all Heard controversies, even in light of the multi-year legal battle with Depp? Well, according to Depp himself, per The Hollywood Reporter, this was the "last straw" that broke their marriage. As Depp told a London court in July 2020, "I thought that was an oddly fitting end to the relationship." Moreover, the controversy gave rise to many memes and puns. 

One person shared on Twitter, "Just googled 'Amber Heard Turd' because I thought it was a funny rhyme & didn't think it would actually turn up the Johnny Depp poop in the bed photo but it did." They continued, "Well done internet, thank you for this bounty. Amen." Another user was astounded to see #AmberTurd and #MePoo trending on the platform.

In addition to folks on social media commenting on the controversial and disgusting situation, Chris Rock has even worked it into his stand-up. The comedian criticized Heard during a London set on his "Ego Death" tour in May 2022. "She s*** in his bed! She's fine but she's not s******* fine," he said to the crowd. Rock could not get over the absurdity and joked, "Once you s*** in someone's bed you just guilty of everything." That however, was for the jury to decide.

Before her 2017 divorce from Johnny Depp, there were simpler times for Amber Heard. Prior to the exes' ongoing legal battle, they were embroiled in an unexpected controversy after bringing their two Yorkshire Terriers into Australia without an import permit and completing the requisite pet quarantine in April 2016, per BBC News. This led to Heard being charged with animal smuggling, with her pleading guilty to illegal importation and being issued a one-month "good behavior bond." The agreement included the couple filming an apology video promoting Australia's biosecurity laws.

With Heard stiltedly "enthusing" about Australia's "treasure trove" of wildlife, Depp added stiffly, "When you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly," calling Australians a "warm and direct" people in a tone that was less warm and more wincing. Depp and Heard's seemingly expressionless delivery elicited mockery and satire. Inspired by what he called their "heartfelt apology," Stephen Colbert (and a staff member as Heard) performed a mock sketch of the situation for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," while comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted, "The Johnny Depp apology feels like a hostage video."

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, however, was not amused, singling Depp out and saying, per Us Weekly, "I think he's auditioning for 'The Godfather.' He's very good at playing every person except Johnny Depp." Criticism only heightened for the defamation trial in 2022, and as it turned out, there was an odd controversy that couldn't be blamed on the dogs.

In an unexpected addition to the trial madness, makeup brand Milani weighed in on one of the heavier focal points of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's tumultuous relationship. Depp's dark text messages and troubling audio clips were highlighted throughout the trial, linking his behavior to Heard's allegations of abuse, but it was a compact of makeup that struck a strange amount of attention.

Heard's attorney Ben Rottenborn held up a Milani color correcting and concealer palette in court and stated during his opening remarks, "This was what she used." Another of Heard's attorneys, Elaine Bredehoft, also referred to the product and stated, "This is what Amber carried in her purse for the entire relationship with Johnny Depp," claiming it was used to conceal alleged bruising from abuse.

Milani posted a TikTok of the moment in court along with some information. "You asked us ... let the record show that our Correcting Kit launched in 2017!" the caption read. This fired up social media as Heard filed for divorce in 2016, which goes against the suggested timeline of events. A source, however, has stated that the legal team was only using the Milani kit as "an example of the kind of makeup that she used" rather than the specific brand, according to NBC News. The source added, "It's a sad day when a makeup company uses that as an opportunity to make light of what victims of domestic violence have to do to hide the results of the abuse they endure."

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. You can also find more information, resources, and support at www.thehotline.org.