Johnny Depp says he has ‘learned’ from past trauma, doesn’t ‘have any ill feelings toward anyone’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Johnny Depp is gradually rebuilding his Hollywood career while moving forward from his tumultuous past, including his highly publicized divorce from Amber Heard.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the Rome Film Festival, Depp discussed the lessons he has learned from his experiences, describing his life as having elements of a "soap opera."
Johnny Depp reflects on life’s lessons
Johnny Depp reflected on the challenges he faced, stating, "Some of it was not the most beautiful time, some of it was hilarious. Some of it was mad. The thing is, it simply just was, and it simply just is. So, for me, it happened. I learned, man."
He emphasized that every experience teaches us something valuable, saying, "Everything that we experience, whether you’re given a snow cone or walking your dog, you learn something somewhere along the way. So I don’t have any ill feelings toward anyone."
His comments reveal a desire to move past resentment. "I don’t have this great reserve of hatred, because hatred requires caring. Why carry that baggage?" he asked, indicating his intention to release negative emotions tied to his past.
Johnny Depp awarded $10.35M in defamation case against heard
Depp's tumultuous divorce from Heard culminated in a sensational defamation trial in 2022, which garnered immense media attention.
The trial featured celebrity witnesses and resulted in a jury awarding Depp $10.35 million in damages after they determined Heard had defamed him with her allegations of domestic violence. The case concluded with Heard agreeing to pay Depp $1 million in a settlement.
Johnny Depp focuses on career and seeking peace in London
In the wake of this drama, Johnny Depp has relocated to London, seeking a quieter life away from the constant media scrutiny and drama that surrounded his time in the United States. This move reflects his desire to focus on his career and personal well-being without the distractions of his past.
Depp is also directing 'Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness', a film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. He expressed his frustration with Hollywood's conventional storytelling methods, stating, "I had a few bouts with Hollywood over their particular easy way and the fluid three-act structure and all the stuff that is predictable. And I am sorry, but I had to get in there and whip it around a little bit…"
Amid these changes, Depp highlighted the importance of work in providing a sense of stability during chaotic times. "It’s weird to be able to escape, not into a character, but it is good to be able to inhabit a character," he shared.
He noted that past experiences can inform his work, saying, "Everything has been … it has really, it just is. And on some level, it is gonna be around, that kind of thing. It’s like OJ or something. But hey, it just happened. That’s all."
