Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's defamation case is well underway (and expected to last for several more weeks), with the latest big revelation seeing Depp self-identify as a victim of domestic abuse.
The trial is hooked on Depp claiming an op-ed that Heard wrote for The Washington Post in 2018, in which she writes that she's "a public figure representing domestic abuse", derailed his career and damaged both his reputation and finances – he is seeking $50 million by way of compensation.
The article, titled 'I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath', did not name Depp directly. Heard is counter-suing for $100 million and claiming that she was indeed a victim of physical abuse at the hands of Depp throughout their relationship, something he has repeatedly denied.
As part of her case, Heard has claimed that Depp physically assaulted her on multiple occasions throughout the course of their marriage, with her legal team using their opening statement to allege how Heard became adept at using make-up to hide her bruises throughout 2012 to 2016.
"This was what she used," Elaine Bredehoft told the judge and jury, whilst holding up what looks to be a Milani Cosmetics' All In One Correcting Kit. "She became very adept at it. You're going to hear the testimony from Amber about how she had to mix the different colours for the different days of the bruises, as they developed in the different colouring and how she would use [this] to touch those up, to be able to cover those."
It's unclear as to whether or not a specific brand name was cited as evidence.
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However, in response to their product being used as evidence, Milani Cosmetics made a TikTok video appearing to contest the claims made by Heard that she used their cover-up kit to hide evidence of any physical injuries – saying the All In One Correcting Kit wasn't actually launched until 2017, a year after the couple had divorced.
Captioning the clip, Milani Cosmetics wrote: "You asked us… let the record show that our Correcting Kit launched in 2017! 👀 #milanicosmetics"
The video shows a member of Heard's legal team holding the make-up and the words, "This is what [Heard] carried in her purse for the entire relationship" along with a timeline saying the relationship is believed to have started in 2012 and ended in 2016. The TikTok video then shows a laptop screen with product information about the All In One Correcting Kit, where it plainly says the item was released in 2017.
The trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, is set to last six weeks. Elon Musk, with whom Depp accused Heard of having an affair, is listed as a potential witness for Heard and may appear via video link later down the line.
