The loss in court left the actress with a bill of $8.35 million in damages. In addition, according to experts, it is unlikely that the film and television industry will consider her for future roles
Actress Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., on June 1, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
Amber Heard sees faces financial and professional ruin after losing the libel case against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, which left her with an 8.35 million dollar damages bill.
“There is no turning back for Heard in Hollywood”, say people familiar with the situation of the actress, according to Daily Mail, at the same time raising questions about her career and her future income.
The actress stated throughout the trial that her career has been greatly affected by the case, revealing that Depp’s lawsuit prevented him from fulfilling a promise to donate $7 million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Entertainment industry expert Kathryn Arnold claimed that Heard lost potential earnings of up to $50 million, according to the Daily Mail.< /p>
As far as her career is concerned, Hollywood is unlikely to keep Heard in mind for future roles, according to the British outlet. From a financial point of view, the actress and the witnesses alluded to her money problems, while her support for Depp may cause brands and companies to avoid her .
Actress Amber Heard reacts with her attorney Elaine Bredehoft after the jury said they believed she had defamed her ex-husband Johnny Depp at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, United States, on June 1. 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
Heard may also have trouble meeting her financial commitments, including those to groups like the ACLU, and the financial burden could curtail a career of activism in which she has supported women’s rights organizations.
The bill for damages may also force her to selling assets, including a $570,000 rural retreat in Yucca Valley and a Range Rover that she kept in her divorce from Depp, according to the Daily Mail.
The main question will be how you will cover the huge bill for damages, which you have 30 years to pay. Attorney Sandra Spurgeon of the Spurgeon Law Group suggested that one possibility could be that Depp would waive the bill or negotiate a lower amount.
“He (Depp) is in the driver’s seat right now. For an individual who doesn’t have the ability to pay the judgment and doesn’t have the ability to post bail, then there’s a real problem if the winning party intends to enforce the judgment,” he told CBS MoneyWatch.
FILE PHOTO: Actor Johnny Depp smiles at fans after a break on the last day of his libel trial against Amber Heard in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., on Aug. 27. May 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
However, if he forces her to pay the full bill, another scenario could be that Heard could appeal the indemnity. Although an appeal with a new judge could work in her favor, she would have to present the full amount while the appeal is being considered, something that could force her to declare bankruptcy.
A third option, according to CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson, is that your future earnings can be garnished, meaning that a portion of his salary from future movies or TV shows could go to Depp until the debt is paid off.