The actress from “Schitt’s Creek,” Emily Hampshire, has apologized for dressing up as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard for Halloween while working with a friend. Hampshire posted pictures of these costumes to her Instagram account on Tuesday, but she has since taken them down in response to the backlash.
Starring as Stevie Budd in the comedy-drama series “Schitt’s Creek,” Emily Hampshire and her friend dressed as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during their widely reported defamation trial the previous year.
Hampshire used makeup to mimic Johnny Depp’s facial hair and tattoos while sporting a beige pinstripe suit. Her friend wore a black skirt, black tights, and a white button-down shirt, selecting one of Amber Heard’s trial outfits.
Emily Hampshire posted an apology
The props that Hampshire and her friend used to pose for the pictures have been taken down. A fake feces and a wine bottle were among these props. During their six-week legal battle, Amber Heard accused Johnny Depp of sexual assault; the wine bottle seemed to make reference to those claims.
Emily Hampshire apologized on Wednesday on her social media platforms. She openly admitted to her actions in the message, calling them thoughtless, insensitive, and ignorant.
She clarified that her Halloween costumes, which included Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, were an attempt at humor. Hampshire conveyed her deep remorse and humiliation for her decision, underscoring the gravity of domestic abuse and the need to never approach it as a lighthearted topic.
She expressed genuine regret for her actions and acknowledged the impact that these issues have on people in real life. She expressed her sincere regret and promised to behave more responsibly going forward in her message’s conclusion.
HuffPost’s requests for comments have not yet received a response from Hampshire’s representatives.
Given that the Depp-Heard trial centered on multiple accusations of abuse that purportedly transpired during the two actors’ relationship, Hampshire was subject to harsh criticism for her costume selection because of its insensitivity to abuse.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s case
An Amber Heard op-ed in The Washington Post from 2018 that alluded to her past allegations of domestic abuse was found by a Virginia jury to be defamatory towards Johnny Depp. The jury also learned that, in reaction to Amber Heard’s accusations, Johnny Depp had disparaged her using the services of his attorney.
Consequently, the jury awarded Johnny Depp $5 million in punitive damages along with $10 million in compensatory damages. Subsequently, however, the judge reduced the punitive damages to $350,000 in accordance with the statutory cap of the state. Additionally, $2 million in compensatory damages were awarded in support of Amber Heard’s counterclaim.
In a statement following the verdict, Johnny Depp stated that Amber Heard’s false charges had a major detrimental effect on his life and career. Six years later, he claimed that the jury’s verdict had given him a fresh start and that it had deeply moved him.
Depp went on to say that he was overcome by the global outpouring of love, support, and kindness he had encountered. After the verdict, he claimed to feel at peace.
Amber Heard has remained quiet ever since the libel trial concluded in June 2022. However, Johnny Depp regained his notoriety earlier this year when he attended the Cannes Film Festival and garnered significant attention from the press.
More about Emily Hampshire
Throughout her career, Canadian actress Emily Hampshire has received praise for a variety of roles. Some of the notable roles she has played include Vivienne in the 2006 film “Snow Cake,” Jennifer Goines in the Syfy drama series “12 Monkeys” from 2015 to 2018, Stevie Budd in the CBC comedy series “Schitt’s Creek” from 2015 to 2020, and Angelina in the 1998 romantic comedy “Boy Meets Girl.”
She also provided the voice of Misery in the animated series “Ruby Gloom” on YTV from 2006 to 2008. Emily Hampshire has portrayed prominent roles in more recent TV series, including “The Rig,” which debuted in 2023, and “Chapelwaite,” which debuted in 2021.
