NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Entertainment

From illegal puppy immigration to bloody wall art: What went wrong with Depp & Heard?

NZ Herald
17 Aug, 2016 08:10 PM7 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Heard and Depp attended the 72nd Venice Film Festival in Italy. Photo / Getty

Heard and Depp attended the 72nd Venice Film Festival in Italy. Photo / Getty

February 2015: The wedding

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard exchanged vows at their home in Los Angeles on Tuesday 3rd February, 2015.

The newlyweds celebrated with a wedding party on Depp's private Little Halls Pond Cay Island in the Bahamas.

Depp, 51, asked the 28-year-old actress to be his wife over the Christmas holidays.

The couple met on the set of 2011's The Rum Diary and started dating a year later after Depp split from his longtime partner, French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis - the mother of his two kids, Lily-Rose and Jack.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

May 2015: The smugglers

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard pictured on arrival to Southport Magistrates Court on April 18, 2016 in Southport, Queensland.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard pictured on arrival to Southport Magistrates Court on April 18, 2016 in Southport, Queensland.

Depp and Heard came under fire from authorities Down Under in May 2015 when it was discovered they had taken their two Yorkshire terriers, named Pistol and Boo, into the country without filling out the proper paperwork or going through required quarantine procedures.

They flew the dogs back to the US via private jet after Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce threatened to have the animals killed if they remained in the country, where Depp was filming the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

April 2016: The hostage video

After failing to declare their dogs Pistol and Boo to Australian customs last year, Johnny and Amber faced charges for breaching biosecurity, but escaped with no conviction.

Bringing a close to what was dubbed the "War on Terrier", the pair were forced to record an educational video for the Australian Government.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The 45-second clip features the couple talking about immigration, biosecurity and their respect for Australia.

"When you disrespect Australian law," Depp says in the video, "they will tell you firmly."

May 22, 2016: The split

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arrive for the European premiere of their film The Rum Diary.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arrive for the European premiere of their film The Rum Diary.

Amber Heard split from Johnny Depp after just 15 months of marriage because Depp's family "hated" her, reports claimed.

TMZ reported the couple's relationship became "extremely bitter" due to a feud between Depp's family and Heard.

Discover more

Lifestyle

Most beautiful celebrity, according to science

16 Jul 11:40 PM
Entertainment

Depp 'locked and loaded' for Heard trial

10 Aug 07:30 AM
Entertainment

Inside Amber Heard's deposition

15 Aug 11:30 AM
Entertainment

Amber Heard affair rumours 'false'

16 Aug 09:00 PM

Sources claimed that Depp's two teenage children, two sisters and his mother "hated" Heard, 30, and were reportedly not shy in letting it be known.

Depp's late mother, Betty Sue (who died on May 20, 2016 - two days before the split) also believed the actress "treated him like crap" and was using her son for his money and to further her own career, it was reported.

They claimed relations deteriorated after Depp moved Betty Sue into the Los Angeles mansion he shared with Heard.

Heard filed for divorce from the star citing "irreconcilable differences".

June 2016: The divorce

Heard leaves Los Angeles Superior Court court in May, 2016.
Heard leaves Los Angeles Superior Court court in May, 2016.

Johnny Depp repeatedly abused his wife Amber Heard and was wracked with guilt for doing so, according to a series of explosive text messages which an American television show claimed to have obtained.

Entertainment Tonight reported that they had been shown the text messages by a source who explained that it was a conversation in May 2014 between "Stephen" - believed to be Mr Depp's assistant, Stephen Deuters - and a person believed to be Miss Heard.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"He's incredibly apologetic and knows that he has done wrong," Stephen's alleged text reads. "He wants to get better now. He's been very explicit about that this morning."

The recipient of the text responded: "Yes but I don't know how to be around him after what he did to me yesterday. I don't know if I can stay with him."

Stephen replied that the man, believed to be Mr Depp, was "distraught."

Miss Heard responded: "Obviously he has no idea what he did or the extent that he did it. If someone was truly honest with him about how bad it really was, he'd be appalled.

"I'm sad that he doesn't have a better way to really know the severity of his actions yesterday. Unfortunately for me, I remember in full detail everything that happened."

Stephen allegedly reiterates that the man purported to be Mr Depp has no recollection of the events that occurred.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

July 2016: The tattoo

Johnny Depp altered his tattoo of Amber Heard’s nickname “SLIM” to “SCUM” https://t.co/vr5aDPkBUx pic.twitter.com/aQeMMKamBd

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) July 3, 2016

Johnny Depp changed his tattoo for Amber Heard from "Slim" to "Scum".

The 53-year-old actor had gotten the word "Slim", a nickname for Amber, 30, inked on the knuckles of his right hand during happier times but after the actress filed for divorce in May, Johnny altered it to spell out "Scum".

This isn't the first time Johnny has been left with an embarrassing tattoo following the end of a relationship.

In 1993, after he and Winona Ryder split, he changed his "Winona Forever" inking to 'Wino Forever'.

August 15, 2016: The leaked video

A video emerged appearing to show Johnny Depp arguing with Amber Heard - but Heard denied being behind the leak.

Depp was the subject of a domestic abuse case made against him by his estranged wife as she sought to secure a permanent restraining order against him.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Whilst he denied all the claims made by Heard and her legal team, a video posted by TMZ seemingly showed him throwing a wine bottle and shouting at Heard.

In the video, Heard appears to try and calm her then-husband down after asking if he had drunk a bottle of wine.

Heard later apologises for something, although it is not clear what.

She tells him: "What happened? I just woke up and you were so sweet, and nice. We were not even fighting this morning. All I did was say sorry."

To which he replies: "You want to see crazy, I'll show you something crazy."

August 16, 2016: The finger

Heard and Depp arrive at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California.
Heard and Depp arrive at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California.

Johnny Depp cut off his fingertip in a booze-fuelled rage over suspicions Amber Heard was cheating on him with another actor, according to an explosive report.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

TMZ reported Depp dipped his bloody stump in blue paint and used it to scrawl the names of Heard and her suspected lover, Billy Bob Thornton, on a mirror.

The shocking incident unfolded in an Australian villa in March last year, a month after they tied the knot.

Depp was filming the fifth instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise on the Gold Coast at the time.

The gossip website shared grisly photos of the mutilated finger and graffitied mirror,
which were exhibits in Heard's domestic violence case against the Edward Scissorhands star.

Heard, 30, claimed Depp was drunk and high on ecstasy when he smashed bottles and windows, and slammed a plastic phone against the wall.

She said the father-of-two severed his finger during the rampage.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Heard had recently filmed a movie with Thornton, and she claimed Depp believed she'd had an affair with her co-star. She denies cheating on Depp.

August 17, 2016: The settlement

Heard and Depp attend the BFI London Film Festival together, at Odeon Leicester Square.
Heard and Depp attend the BFI London Film Festival together, at Odeon Leicester Square.

Johnny Depp reportedly reached a US$7 million settlement with Amber Heard in one of Hollywood's most acrimonious divorce battles.

TMZ reported Heard filed court papers to dismiss her domestic violence case against the actor on Tuesday, just one day before their scheduled restraining order hearing.

The former couple, who were married for just 15 months and didn't have a prenuptial agreement, released a statement confirming the settlement.

"Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love," they told the gossip website.

"Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Sources told Daily Mail Online the financial settlement was finalised over the weekend, but Depp and Heard feuded over the wording of the statement.

According to the site, Heard wanted Depp to admit he assaulted her. The father-of-two refused.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Entertainment

Premium
Entertainment

Oprah shamed him. He’s back anyway

15 Jun 06:00 AM
Premium
Entertainment

Scarlett Johansson unveils her newest role at Cannes: Filmmaker

14 Jun 07:00 PM
Entertainment

Chopper's favourite places in Auckland

14 Jun 05:00 PM

BV or thrush? Know the difference

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Entertainment

Premium
Oprah shamed him. He’s back anyway

Oprah shamed him. He’s back anyway

15 Jun 06:00 AM

NYT: A Million Little Pieces became a global scandal – 20 years later, James Frey is back.

Premium
Scarlett Johansson unveils her newest role at Cannes: Filmmaker

Scarlett Johansson unveils her newest role at Cannes: Filmmaker

14 Jun 07:00 PM
Chopper's favourite places in Auckland

Chopper's favourite places in Auckland

14 Jun 05:00 PM
Miriama Kamo reflects on Matariki, new projects and family legacy

Miriama Kamo reflects on Matariki, new projects and family legacy

14 Jun 05:00 PM
It was just a stopover – 18 months later, they call it home
sponsored

It was just a stopover – 18 months later, they call it home

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP