In the midst of a spectacle that captivated the masses, Johnny Depp emerged from his defamation trial with a surprising level of adoration, despite behaviors that many would consider unbecoming.

I can understand if you doubt me; even my husband needed some persuasion. Yet, I achieved something akin to superhero status, comparable to Buzz Lightyear.

Until recently, I was unaware of the outcome of the highly publicized defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, which had captured attention on social media platforms in a manner reminiscent of a bizarre performance art piece.

Despite my upbringing steeped in pop culture, I had never been drawn to the sensationalized aspects of the entertainment industry. I recall glancing at the tabloid magazines at grocery store checkouts with a mix of longing and teenage angst, aware that my mother would never indulge in such celebrity gossip when we had perfectly respectable family news for free.

As I matured, I maintained my distance from celebrity scandals, which became increasingly challenging with the advent of the internet. In earlier times, my only exposure to celebrity misdeeds was limited to magazines found in waiting rooms.

I often reminisce about those simpler days when payphones were still in use, and my knowledge of Keanu Reeves' romantic escapades was restricted to outdated periodicals. Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to avoid the constant buzz surrounding celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow or Will Smith, whose off-screen antics are as notable as his music.

Living with a Spanish husband and a teenage daughter, I find myself sandwiched between two gossip enthusiasts. Latin men, in particular, revel in sharing the latest gossip, which has evolved over the years from what was once known as "juice" during my high school days. If my daughter and husband were not fixated on Taylor Swift, their communication might dwindle to nothing.

What’s the issue with gossip? Surprisingly, I don’t have any qualms. While it is often criticized in various religious texts, many social scientists argue that gossip is an age-old mechanism for maintaining social order and navigating relationships.

The fear of being gossiped about can deter individuals from engaging in inappropriate behavior. When someone is untrustworthy, their reputation often precedes them, thanks to the warnings of friends.

It’s worth noting that not all gossip carries a negative connotation. Research indicates that most gossip is neutral, with women reportedly engaging in more benign gossip than men. Gossip can serve as a “social skill,” allowing people to share insights that help others, like advising a friend to avoid a financially unstable suitor.

On the flip side, harmful gossip is characterized by information that serves only to damage reputations or elevate the gossiper’s status, such as broadcasting a friend's private struggles to their boss.

If I have no issue with gossip, then why was I so determined to avoid the revelation that Milli Vanilli were not the real deal? (That one still stings, as my best friend and I used to nail their signature dance move at every school dance.)

Celebrity gossip, however, falls into the realm of detrimental gossip. It provides no real guidance for navigating our social circles, as the actions of celebrities do not genuinely impact our lives. Thus, spending any significant time following Hollywood scandals is ultimately futile.

Knowing that Ben Affleck might cheat on me with a younger nanny will not prevent heartbreak. And immersing myself in TikTok analyses of the tumultuous relationship between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was firmly at the bottom of my to-do list.

Somehow, I managed to remain blissfully ignorant of the trial's verdict until I was struck with COVID-19, coinciding with the release of Emma Cooper's docuseries, Depp v. Heard.

With nothing but time on my hands and tired of the murder mysteries my husband insists on watching, I found myself intrigued enough to catch a recap of the trial.

The docuseries, spanning three hours from a total of 100 hours of testimonies, juxtaposes the narratives of both actors alongside the cultural fervor overshadowing the actual trial.

Cooper, a former BBC producer, stated in an interview that Depp v. Heard strives for balance, aiming to analyze the intersection of celebrity and culture. While I found the series presented fairly, Cooper noted that she has faced backlash from both camps, which I see as a sign of its neutrality.

In an age where shock value often equates to profit, many on social media seized the opportunity to express outrage, positioning Depp as a victim akin to Rosa Parks, despite the absurdity of such comparisons.

Men and women alike joined forces not just to support Depp but to vilify Heard. This animosity became a spectacle, reminiscent of a dystopian entertainment format, where reputation and humanity were stripped away in the digital arena.

After viewing the series, it became evident to me that Heard was destined to lose, not due to the credibility of her testimony, but because of the overwhelming public sentiment clouding the trial's proceedings.

A report from Bot Sentinel highlighted the extensive targeted harassment directed at Heard and her supporters, labeling it one of the most severe instances of cyberbullying witnessed.

It’s disturbing that society seems to accept this reality. The appeal of dystopian narratives lies in their reflection of our current vices, magnified to reveal where we might be heading.

While many may feel insulated from such extremes, the threats faced by Heard and her supporters paint a grim picture. One particularly gruesome threat involved the suggestion of harming her child, while another supporter faced bullying related to the loss of her own daughter.

For what reason? For defying a figure who has been elevated to royal status by popular acclaim? Historically, Americans rejected the notion of monarchy, but our current idolization of celebrities suggests a troubling irony.

Although we may think we can resist the allure of celebrity culture, our collective fascination contradicts that belief. We seem unable to separate the actors from the roles they play, and it’s disheartening to acknowledge that we willingly participate in this dynamic.

In the past, royalty maintained power through coercion; people had no choice but to submit. Yet today, figures like Johnny Depp can flaunt their privilege and receive unwavering support while facing little accountability for their actions.

When my husband discovered I was watching Depp v. Heard, he bombarded me with questions about my stance. His emotional investment in Depp’s plight was palpable, and he seemed unsatisfied with my neutral perspective on their tumultuous relationship.

My response was simply to play the world’s smallest violin.

I’ve listened to the recordings of Depp berating Heard, and I recognize that tone—it’s abusive. There are recordings of him displaying destructive behavior fueled by alcohol. Even without additional context, it’s not hard to believe he could act violently under the influence.

In a separate defamation trial in England, text exchanges between Heard and a man present during an alleged incident detailed the event, along with a text from Depp apologizing for his conduct—information notably absent from the American proceedings.

Ultimately, I believe both Depp and Heard are partially sincere in their accounts. They both exhibit traits of privilege that exacerbate each other's flaws. Neither should be idolized by the masses who swarm the courthouse for a mere glimpse of their lives, lives most of us could never afford to experience.

Depp’s wealth includes multiple properties in Hollywood, a mansion in England, a village in France, a Kentucky ranch, and a Caribbean island. While I have no issue with the wealthy spending on themselves, I question our tendency to elevate them as heroes.

Having heroes is essential; they embody the values of their time. Achilles represented a fierce masculinity driven by battle. While we may not condone his actions, they were reflective of his era.

I can’t help but ponder what future generations will think of our reverence for figures like Depp.