Amber Heard Claims Trial Silenced Her—Is Mercury Retrograde to Blame or Just Hollywood Drama?
Added on January 25, 2026 inCelebrity News Cards
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Ever noticed how Mercury in retrograde loves to mess with communication? Well, Amber Heard might just be feeling that cosmic interference on a whole new level. In a bold turn, she claims to have “lost her voice” in a stirring new documentary that dives into the murky waters where men allegedly weaponize defamation lawsuits to hush women speaking out about abuse. After a high-profile, six-week Virginia trial that challenged her 2018 op-ed on domestic violence—and saw Johnny Depp awarded multi-million-dollar damages—Amber’s fight has taken her from Hollywood lights to Madrid’s quieter streets, embracing a fresh identity and motherhood’s chaos with newly born twins. This documentary, Silenced, premieres under the watchful eye of human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, whose presence hints at stories far beyond headlines, probing just how free speech fares when defending it might mean bankruptcy. So, what happens when the stars align against speaking out—do voices fade or rise even louder in the shadows? Intrigued? LEARN MORE
Amber Heard has claimed she no longer has a voice in a new documentary exploring the idea of men using defamation lawsuits to silence women about abuse.
Following a six-week trial in Virginia in 2022, a jury found the Aquaman actor’s 2018 Washington Post op-ed about domestic violence, though it did not name Depp, contained statements that were false, defamatory, and made with malice.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star was awarded a total of $15 million in damages, which was reduced to $10.35 million.
Heard’s own defamation countersuit resulted in a $2 million award on one of three claims.
She has since left Hollywood for the Spanish capital of Madrid and has reportedly changed her name to ‘fully integrate’ herself into the community.
Last year, she welcomed twins in a social media post, which makes her a mother to a little boy and girl, as well as her four-year-old, Oonagh Paige.
Amber Heard was married to Johnny Depp from 2015 to 2017 (JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Heard has now appeared in the new documentary Silenced, her first feature film cameo since 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Led by director Selina Miles and international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, it recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Robinson played a role in helping Heard during a 2018 lawsuit filed by Depp against The Sun.
The paper ran a story criticising Depp’s casting in The Fantastic Beasts by labelling accusations of domestic violence brought by Heard. Depp sued the paper for libel.
Heard is now living in Spain (Francisco Guerra/Europa Press via Getty Images)
“This is not about me,” Heard – who is one of several women who have come forward in Silenced – said in the documentary.
“I have lost my ability to speak. I am not here to tell my story.
“I don’t want to tell my story. In fact, I don’t want to use my voice anymore. That’s the problem.”
Speaking at the Variety Studio, Robinson mentioned the ‘chilling effect’ defamation suits have had on women.
Heard has appeared in new documentary ‘Silenced’ (EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“In the post-#MeToo world, we saw women break the cultural silence, speaking out publicly about gender-based violence,’ she said.
“What we then saw is their alleged perpetrator bringing a defamation claim saying, ‘This is not true, it’s defamatory, and I’m going to sue you for a lot of money’.’’
Robinson noted that she has recommended to her clients that ‘he can sue you, you just then have to prove it in court. But it’s very expensive to do so, and it bankrupts most women. The question I ask in this film is, What does free speech mean if you can’t afford to defend it?’
Silenced is looking for distribution rights at the time of writing.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
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