Johnny Depp Makes Surprise Appearance At MTV VMA 2022, First Since Legal Battle

Johnny Depp made his first public “appearance” at the MTV Video Music Awards on August 28, 2022, since the controversial defamation trial against Amber Heard. He was not actually present there. His face appeared digitally on the glass helmet of the Moon Person, the channel’s famous mascot, floating above the stage.

During his surprise appearance which marked his return to the public sphere, the American actor and filmmaker said, “I needed the work.”

“I just want you guys to know that I am available for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, anything you need … anything. Oh, I’m also a dentist. Hey VMAs, let’s get back to the fucking music, shall we?” he further added in his subsequent appearances during the award show.

Johnny Depp appears as the moon person at the #VMAs. https://t.co/K3f4GrgiuJpic.twitter.com/S0dkWrR6mr

— Variety (@Variety) August 29, 2022

However, the actor was not nominated for any awards this year, even though Depp has taken home five Moon People in the past. His awards included Best Male Performance, Best Villain, Global Superstar, and the Generation Award.

While Depp was trending for this appearance, his ex Amber Heard also began trending along with quotes from her older interviews regarding Depp as well as the controversial trial. Recently, they were publicly embroiled in a legal battle where Depp filed a defamation suit against Heard. In an opinion piece published by The Washington Post in 2018, Heard had called herself a victim of domestic violence following which Depp sued her for $50 million. Depp was found liable in one of three matters of defamation raised while Heard was found liable in all three matters of defamation raised.

On the work front, Depp is set to direct a movie for the first time in a quarter of a century. The actor will be working from behind the camera for a biographical drama about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani titled Modigliani. The film is produced by Al Pacino along with Barry Navidi. The actor is also working on French filmmaker Maïwenn’s upcoming film Jeanne du Barry, a historical romance drama about a royal’s concubine. He will play the role of the controversial King Louis XV, which will mark the actor’s first major acting role since the 2020 independent film Minamata. He played war photographer W. Eugene Smith in the film.