Johnny Depp has denied he slapped ex-wife Amber Heard after she laughed at one of his tattoos, as he appeared at a hearing at London’s High Court.
He accused Ms Heard of “building a dossier” against him after the court heard she wrote an email describing him as a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde character.
Mr Depp, 57, is suing the publisher of the Sun newspaper over an article that referred to him as a “wife beater”.
The Sun has defended the accuracy of its story.
It had referred to “overwhelming evidence” that Mr Depp attacked Ms Heard, 34, during their relationship – which he strenuously denies.
Mr Depp is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and its executive editor Dan Wootton over the article, published in 2018.
Ms Heard claims that Mr Depp first hit her in early 2013 – one of 14 separate allegations of domestic violence, all denied by Mr Depp, which are being relied on by NGN in their defence.
‘Wino Forever’
On the second day of the hearing, NGN’s lawyer Sasha Wass QC began by asking Mr Depp about an alleged incident in March 2013 involving one of his tattoos which reads “Wino Forever”.
It had originally said “Winona Forever” in reference to his relationship with actress Winona Ryder, but he had changed it when they split in 1993.
Ms Wass said Ms Heard – who was also in court – had made a joke out of the tattoo at a time when he was drinking heavily after about 160 days of sobriety.
Mr Depp replied: “I don’t recall any conversation.”
Ms Wass said the actor then slapped his ex-wife across the face, a total of three times. He denied this.
The barrister then put it to Mr Depp that he “broke down” after coming to his senses and realising what he had done, to which he said: “I didn’t hit Ms Heard.”
‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’
The High Court also heard details of the email Ms Heard wrote to the actor – but never sent – saying he lived “in a world of enablers”.
It it, she said: “It’s like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Half of you, I love. Madly. The other half scares me.”
She wrote that she knew she was “dealing with the monster” when he had been drinking.
In response, Mr Depp, 57, said the “dossier” was being built up from early on “that appears to be an insurance policy for later”.
He agreed he would describe the allegation he was a serial domestic abuser as a “hoax”, adding the claims were “patently untrue”.
Amber Heard was also at the High Court in London for the second day of the caseThe court heard about another alleged incident that month when Ms Heard claims Mr Depp hit her several times after an argument about a painting by her ex-partner, Tasya van Ree, which was hanging in her Los Angeles home.
Ms Wass read out part of Mr Depp’s witness statement in which he said he had asked Ms Heard to remove the painting “as a courtesy” to him.
He said she hadn’t taken it down it but denied allegations put to him by Ms Wass that he tried to remove the painting and to set fire to it, saying each time they were “not true”.
Mr Depp was asked whether he would describe himself as jealous. He responded: “I am, yes. I can be jealous.”
‘Blind rage’
Ms Wass asked Mr Depp about an alleged incident on a flight from Boston to Los Angeles in May 2014.
The barrister put it to Mr Depp that he had been “screaming obscenities” at Ms Heard on the plane and brought up the subject of fellow actor James Franco – whom Mr Depp “suspected” was having an affair with his partner.
Ms Wass said Mr Depp threw ice cubes at Ms Heard, and was “in a blind rage”, becoming so angry he slapped her across the face.
Mr Depp denied that happened, or that he called Ms Heard a “slut” and a “whore”.
The barrister suggested the actor went to the toilet of the plane, where he passed out.
Mr Depp said in response: “As Ms Heard was berating me, screaming at me and whatnot, as is her wont, she began to get physical.”
He added that he then “grabbed a pillow from the couch and slept on the bathroom floor”.
Ms Wass asked about an incident in which Ms Heard’s dog “had eaten some hash, some cannabis – quite a lot”.
The actor replied: “The puppy got a hold of a little ball of hashish and just scooped it up before I could get to it.”
The court has also heard about an alleged incident in which it is claimed Mr Depp held another of Ms Heard’s dogs out of a car window, which he dismissed as “utter falsity”.
On the first day of the libel case the court heard that Mr Depp denied being violent towards his ex-wife and accused Ms Heard of being violent towards him.
NGN previously tried to have the case thrown out, but Mr Justice Nicol ruled last week the case could go ahead.
The case arose out of the publication of an article on the Sun’s website headlined: “Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be ‘genuinely happy’ casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?”
The Sun’s original article related to allegations made by the actress, who was married to the Pirates of the Caribbean star from 2015 to 2017.
Witnesses including Mr Depp’s former partners Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder are expected to give evidence via video link, and the hearing is expected to last for three weeks.
Mr Depp, has been Oscar and Bafta-nominated and won a Golden Globe in 2008 for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
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Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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