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Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Celebrity Exploitation Machine
Celebrity romances have always captured the public’s imagination, playing out like soap operas seized upon by fans and tabloids alike. By the same token, high-profile trials can take over the mainstream media cycle, with both news pundits and the public picking over every detail to predict outcomes and cast their own judgements. Enter the union, dissolution, and hostile legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard—and these dual obsessions collided in a chaotic moment of true cultural fixation.
Hollywood Vampires offers an inside account of one of the most controversial and consequential celebrity scandals of the internet era. Fueled by viral clips, reaction videos, and endless online debates, the trial became more than a legal battle. It became a public spectacle, dividing audiences worldwide.
Enter Kelly Loudenberg and Makiko Wholey–journalists on the ground for the Depp vs Heard trial. Having embedded with both Johnny and Amber and their camps, they spent months leading up to and following the trial, interviewing the couple’s closest allies as well as their managers, lawyers, agents, business associates, publicists, assistants, and personal staff. The result is a page-turning Hollywood epic full of revealing added details that tell a wider tale about the celebrity-industrial complex, modern fandom, inflammatory culture wars, and contemporary feminism.
Turning the lens around, Hollywood Vampires questions how the Hollywood exploitation machine, strengthened by the forces of social media and legacy media alike, blurs the lines between fact and fiction, comedy and horror. It exposes how platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter transformed a courtroom-a pillar of justice-into a digital feeding frenzy where misinformation spread as fast as breaking news. It also forces us to ask ourselves why we take celebrity culture so seriously in the first place—and who wins and who loses when Hollywood becomes the vehicle for our own personal and political causes.
Hollywood Vampires offers an inside account of one of the most controversial and consequential celebrity scandals of the internet era. Fueled by viral clips, reaction videos, and endless online debates, the trial became more than a legal battle. It became a public spectacle, dividing audiences worldwide.
Enter Kelly Loudenberg and Makiko Wholey–journalists on the ground for the Depp vs Heard trial. Having embedded with both Johnny and Amber and their camps, they spent months leading up to and following the trial, interviewing the couple’s closest allies as well as their managers, lawyers, agents, business associates, publicists, assistants, and personal staff. The result is a page-turning Hollywood epic full of revealing added details that tell a wider tale about the celebrity-industrial complex, modern fandom, inflammatory culture wars, and contemporary feminism.
Turning the lens around, Hollywood Vampires questions how the Hollywood exploitation machine, strengthened by the forces of social media and legacy media alike, blurs the lines between fact and fiction, comedy and horror. It exposes how platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter transformed a courtroom-a pillar of justice-into a digital feeding frenzy where misinformation spread as fast as breaking news. It also forces us to ask ourselves why we take celebrity culture so seriously in the first place—and who wins and who loses when Hollywood becomes the vehicle for our own personal and political causes.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 17, 2025
31 people are currently reading
3758 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 8, 2025
Where do I start? I watched the entire US defamation trial. It was interesting to say the least. A review of this book on goodreads made me aware of its publication. Their lives before they met, the tumultuous relationship, trial and aftermath were covered. I did not feel the authors really made a connection between the "celebrity exploitation machine" and this particular couples highly toxic relationship. They have to own it themselves.
June 18, 2025
aims for “neutral” reporting but largely fails due to most of the participants being on Depp’s legal team, payroll, or super fans (with some being all three). there are brief moments of insight into the lives of those involved, but most of what’s in here has already been known to anyone already familiar with the case. the authors fail to thread together the information to any sort of greater meaning or insight, so really…what’s even the point?
June 30, 2025
It's amusing seeing some reviews that condemn this book as just "sycophantic Amber Heard propaganda" or "just more demonizing of Johnny Depp." I can only assume those reviews were written by Deppheads that didn't read the book; they simply saw there was a new book about the trial, saw it was written by two women, and ASSUMED it must be anti-Depp, so they wrote a preemptive review trashing it. Because this book, despite claiming to be aiming for neutrality, is actually quite obviously pro-Depp and anti-Heard. It takes a lot of subtle (and some not-so-subtle) potshots at Heard throughout, while kind of glossing over or easily excusing a lot of the more negative revelations we also learned about Depp during the whole debacle. Now, I don't really have too much of a dog in this fight; the revelations of this trial and its coverage - and even everything talked about in this book - just left me feeling that BOTH Depp and Heard were in the wrong in various ways. It seemed an ugly situation with two damaged, problematic people bringing out the worst in each other. Based on evidence alone, I agree it’s quite possible Heard was the “bigger” physical abuser, if you even want to get into the somewhat icky notion of quantifying such things. But that alone doesn’t necessarily absolve Depp or make him FULLY innocent. And so it’s interesting to see how the authors, while even acknowledging Depp’s addiction issues and past documented moments of addiction-fueled rage and violence, don’t lend ANY credence to Heard and her team’s suggestion that Depp was a different person while in his blackout states. They will briefly mention moments that DO point to potential physical violence from Depp, but not with anything near the same fervor they devote to pulling apart Heard’s more questionable claims.
But, okay, since no one will ever really know what happened behind closed doors except for Depp and Heard (and even he might not really remember all of it, based on what we read about his blackout states and impaired memory), I guess Im not surprised the book doesn’t want to claim anything for fact that would just be hearsay anyway. What I WAS hoping for with this book was a genuine new angle on it all, some sort of compelling analysis of not just their damaged relationship, but also what the trial and the media coverage says about fame, or society, or anything. The "Celebrity Exploitation Machine" part of the title made me think a large part of this book might be about how the very "machine" of fame was perhaps to blame for both of their actions, or at least some sort of analytical idea like that. But, beyond paying brief lip-service to a larger sociological consideration of the case in the introduction and final chapter, the book doesn't really seem all that interested in aiming for anything that heavy. The bulk is just an exhaustive beat-by-beat reporting of the Depp/Heard relationship and then subsequent breakup, fallout, and trials. There's not too much here that couldn't already be found by anyone very interested in the case and who wanted to know this stuff already. And the book's occasional attempts to make it FEEL more of an inside narrative, like when it spends time telling us about the outfits Depp's legal team was wearing as they worked on the case in their hotel suite/war-room, just feel odd and out-of-place. I honestly felt like those bits were more about showing off the level of access they had to these people than serving any real narrative purpose. Overall, I'm not even really sure what the main takeaway from this book is supposed to be, other than the authors don't seem to like Heard very much and seemingly want to add to the pro-Depp movement. The book attempts to get at some larger meaning in its final moments, but it just kind of circles around already discussed-to-death debates about the value and potential dangers of #MeToo and "cancel culture," without ever having the guts to take a stand and make some sort of concrete statement on anything. A frustrating read.
But, okay, since no one will ever really know what happened behind closed doors except for Depp and Heard (and even he might not really remember all of it, based on what we read about his blackout states and impaired memory), I guess Im not surprised the book doesn’t want to claim anything for fact that would just be hearsay anyway. What I WAS hoping for with this book was a genuine new angle on it all, some sort of compelling analysis of not just their damaged relationship, but also what the trial and the media coverage says about fame, or society, or anything. The "Celebrity Exploitation Machine" part of the title made me think a large part of this book might be about how the very "machine" of fame was perhaps to blame for both of their actions, or at least some sort of analytical idea like that. But, beyond paying brief lip-service to a larger sociological consideration of the case in the introduction and final chapter, the book doesn't really seem all that interested in aiming for anything that heavy. The bulk is just an exhaustive beat-by-beat reporting of the Depp/Heard relationship and then subsequent breakup, fallout, and trials. There's not too much here that couldn't already be found by anyone very interested in the case and who wanted to know this stuff already. And the book's occasional attempts to make it FEEL more of an inside narrative, like when it spends time telling us about the outfits Depp's legal team was wearing as they worked on the case in their hotel suite/war-room, just feel odd and out-of-place. I honestly felt like those bits were more about showing off the level of access they had to these people than serving any real narrative purpose. Overall, I'm not even really sure what the main takeaway from this book is supposed to be, other than the authors don't seem to like Heard very much and seemingly want to add to the pro-Depp movement. The book attempts to get at some larger meaning in its final moments, but it just kind of circles around already discussed-to-death debates about the value and potential dangers of #MeToo and "cancel culture," without ever having the guts to take a stand and make some sort of concrete statement on anything. A frustrating read.
June 17, 2025
I met Kelly & Makiko in Fairfax, VA during the trial. I had been a very active supporter of Johnny Depp on Twitter and Instagram since the police invesitgation of Amber’s claims which never seemed credible to me. They approached me and asked if I would agree to an interview. They assured me people associated with Johnny knew of their project, supported it and were participating. They said the same for Amber’s side-being fairly transparent. I saw how MSM coverage was so bias and misreporting court filings for years; feeding the public a consistent narrative (Amber good, Johnny bad). Kelly & Makiko’s intention was to do a balanced and fair documentary.
The writers spent years interviewing more than 100 people about their relationship including people close to both parties, spectators, fans, civil rights lawyers, and academics. They had footage with Johnny’s legal team (among others). They were given hours of footage from the recordings Amber’s then girlfriend Bianca Butti made. They reviewed mountains of documents, videos, photos and hours of audio. They were even able to land an exclusive interview with a VA Juror! They realiized as time went on, their story was bigger than the trials-the outcomes of both still hotly debated today. With so much material, they felt writing a book would give their story the attention it deserved. (which admittedly took longer than anticipated).
In 2016 the world saw Amber’s bruised face on the cover of People Magazine along with an exclusive interview of her allegations (although that photo would later come under scrutiny in court and her allegations proven false). From that point on, Amber’s opportunities to speak to the press and for women’s organizations exploded; and she welcomed the attention to further her career. There is an notable interview in the book by an early mentor giving Amber advice on the PR game.
The book brings some personal history for both parties and info on the trials. The UK Trial chapter focuses more on Amber. The VA trial focuses more on Johnny. The writers don’t hold back on Johnny; and he has been honest talking about his addiction, family life, scandalous texts and audio. He wasn’t proud of himself at times and he apologized on the stand for his choice of words. Amber remained unapologetic at all times.
Depp sued The Sun for defamation on an article they wrote. Shortly before the UK trial, private audios between the couple were released. The public heard a very different Amber from the victim and human rights advocate she portrayed in public-admitting to hitting Johnny and starting physical fights. The writers found many close to Amber started to fall away not wanting to testify for her at either trial and write about them. Only her sister gave testimony in VA.
For the UK trial, The Sun/NGN, never presented the author, Dan Wooten, in their case. Dan never interviewed either party and relied on a legal filing for a temporary court order as conclusive proof of her claims even though Amber had withdrawn it prior to the final court hearing, nullifying it. Amber, as only a witness in he UK trial, was not required to provide evidence; but allowed to submit what she chose to share (in the light most favorable to NGN claims). The writers quote Bianca’s filmed discussions with Amber, Jen Robinson and her legal team discussing decisions re turning over evidence. The writers also present interesting events around that time and fairly present the web of connections that allow the reader to reach their own conclusions regarding the court impartiality in the UK. The public mantra was still “Believe all Women” so Amber must be believed.
The Sun prevailed but the Judge in the VA proceedings citing evidentiary differences between courts, did not believe Johnny had a full and fair trial. A major win for Johnny by Judge Azcarate was refusing to dismiss the VA trial based on the UK verdict citing Amber, as a witness, was NOT required to comply with the full discovery process.
Depp v Heard in the USA was a completely different trial based on an op-ed Amber penned herself with the help of the ACLU. The US court rules of evidence are very strict. Most hearsay evidence was ruled inadmissible unlike in the UK court. In VA, Amber must comply with all evidentiary rules equally. In a major win for transparency, VA court allowed streaming of the trial. The public could see first hand what went on in the courtroom (unlike the UK trial). “Internet Journalists” and “Lawtubers” found their niche explaining the legal process and encouraging the public to come to their own conclusions-and the public didn’t hold back. Online debates on various social
media platforms at times became heated. The public were catching on to the MSM inaccurate, bias reporting-spoon-feeding us their narrative. Now the public could fact check on their own. Suddenly the Legacy Media had stiff competition and they didn’t like it. The book covers this MSM and public response.
Kelly & Makiko report on the outcomes and potential futures for the parties. Johnny proved his case and Amber was found liable for defamation with malice on all three statements. Johnny was awarded damages and punitive damages. Amber won on only one statement by Johnny’s attorney that was very detailed but notably never mentioned abuse: physical or sexual. They found no libel against Depp on the other two statements which claimed fake sexual violence allegations and the “end of her hoax against Johnny Depp”.
The authors talked to many organizations and women’s groups after both rulings. MeToo was still at its height and ACLU certainly capitalized on Amber’s claims; not because ofnwho she was, but admittedly, because Johnny’s name brings massive attention. After Johnny won his claims against Amber, what were the organizations and media to do? Would they admit they were wrong? Walk back or apologize for all the horrible pieces they wrote against Johnny for years? Of course not.
Social media certainly responded and made their opinions known. Some anonymous accounts posted negatively against Amber-just as Johnny had endured since her claims were first published. MSM highlighted the most vitriolic ones against Amber and tried to use that hate for Amber as an example of unfair treatment for making a claim and continued to promote “beleive all women”. They certainly took no responsibility nor reported equally on the hate Johnny had endured for years from her initial allegation (even after immediate public police statements put her credibility in question). The majority of the public outcry could not be ignored: ‘You made us believe the wrong person. You tricked us.’
The book further explores the media response to the jury finding aganst Amber. MSM pushed out headlines that Amber was not the “perfect victim”. Along with Amber’s IG post, Women’s groups spun the verdict as hurting all women. Depp’s attorney’s insisted eaach case should be judge on its own merits. Many seemed to not care the jury unanimously found she lied-with malice. Amber’s lawyer tried to discredit the jury with unfounded claims. Who were all these powers behind the scenes that wanted Amber Heard to represent all victims? The book talks about the effect an unproven claim has against men. Johnny knew her claim would always stick to him. The debates still continue to this day.
Post trials, Amber’s few productions that were released floundered. There seems to be no new work for her on the horizon and she has moved to Spain. Even after proving his case, Johnny still faces backlash by those who refuse to accept the verdict and continue to use her failed allegations as a soapbox. Johnny maintains a strong fanbase which has not gone unnoticed in Hollywood. He has successfully expanded his career, branching out in various interests. He has gone public with years of his artwork including opening a gallery in NYC. He opened a new production company in Europe and is continuing to make movies with a major Studio release on his horizon.
Throughout the book, Kelly & Makiko present statements from various interviews. I was blown away by many things I had never heard. They have many quoted sources. Occasionally the book timeline might be off. The writers may unintentionally conflate some information between the two trials. I can’t imagine anyone coming in for such a short time could ever get “it all right”. But the errors I found don’t alter the meaning of the facts and outcome or attempt to force or change a narrative.
I believe this book would be ideal for readers who have minimum knowledge of the trials or who only relied on twitter posts, propoganda “documentaries” and biased books. At the same time, the book provides numerous never released interview quotes a long-time follower might be surprised at. If you continue to support Amber Heard you may not like some parts; yet the book includes interviews and quotes from her side and Amber herself. All-in-all, I think it is a very well written book and fair to both sides with no obvious motivation to push a “narrative”. I definitely recommend it.
The writers spent years interviewing more than 100 people about their relationship including people close to both parties, spectators, fans, civil rights lawyers, and academics. They had footage with Johnny’s legal team (among others). They were given hours of footage from the recordings Amber’s then girlfriend Bianca Butti made. They reviewed mountains of documents, videos, photos and hours of audio. They were even able to land an exclusive interview with a VA Juror! They realiized as time went on, their story was bigger than the trials-the outcomes of both still hotly debated today. With so much material, they felt writing a book would give their story the attention it deserved. (which admittedly took longer than anticipated).
In 2016 the world saw Amber’s bruised face on the cover of People Magazine along with an exclusive interview of her allegations (although that photo would later come under scrutiny in court and her allegations proven false). From that point on, Amber’s opportunities to speak to the press and for women’s organizations exploded; and she welcomed the attention to further her career. There is an notable interview in the book by an early mentor giving Amber advice on the PR game.
The book brings some personal history for both parties and info on the trials. The UK Trial chapter focuses more on Amber. The VA trial focuses more on Johnny. The writers don’t hold back on Johnny; and he has been honest talking about his addiction, family life, scandalous texts and audio. He wasn’t proud of himself at times and he apologized on the stand for his choice of words. Amber remained unapologetic at all times.
Depp sued The Sun for defamation on an article they wrote. Shortly before the UK trial, private audios between the couple were released. The public heard a very different Amber from the victim and human rights advocate she portrayed in public-admitting to hitting Johnny and starting physical fights. The writers found many close to Amber started to fall away not wanting to testify for her at either trial and write about them. Only her sister gave testimony in VA.
For the UK trial, The Sun/NGN, never presented the author, Dan Wooten, in their case. Dan never interviewed either party and relied on a legal filing for a temporary court order as conclusive proof of her claims even though Amber had withdrawn it prior to the final court hearing, nullifying it. Amber, as only a witness in he UK trial, was not required to provide evidence; but allowed to submit what she chose to share (in the light most favorable to NGN claims). The writers quote Bianca’s filmed discussions with Amber, Jen Robinson and her legal team discussing decisions re turning over evidence. The writers also present interesting events around that time and fairly present the web of connections that allow the reader to reach their own conclusions regarding the court impartiality in the UK. The public mantra was still “Believe all Women” so Amber must be believed.
The Sun prevailed but the Judge in the VA proceedings citing evidentiary differences between courts, did not believe Johnny had a full and fair trial. A major win for Johnny by Judge Azcarate was refusing to dismiss the VA trial based on the UK verdict citing Amber, as a witness, was NOT required to comply with the full discovery process.
Depp v Heard in the USA was a completely different trial based on an op-ed Amber penned herself with the help of the ACLU. The US court rules of evidence are very strict. Most hearsay evidence was ruled inadmissible unlike in the UK court. In VA, Amber must comply with all evidentiary rules equally. In a major win for transparency, VA court allowed streaming of the trial. The public could see first hand what went on in the courtroom (unlike the UK trial). “Internet Journalists” and “Lawtubers” found their niche explaining the legal process and encouraging the public to come to their own conclusions-and the public didn’t hold back. Online debates on various social
media platforms at times became heated. The public were catching on to the MSM inaccurate, bias reporting-spoon-feeding us their narrative. Now the public could fact check on their own. Suddenly the Legacy Media had stiff competition and they didn’t like it. The book covers this MSM and public response.
Kelly & Makiko report on the outcomes and potential futures for the parties. Johnny proved his case and Amber was found liable for defamation with malice on all three statements. Johnny was awarded damages and punitive damages. Amber won on only one statement by Johnny’s attorney that was very detailed but notably never mentioned abuse: physical or sexual. They found no libel against Depp on the other two statements which claimed fake sexual violence allegations and the “end of her hoax against Johnny Depp”.
The authors talked to many organizations and women’s groups after both rulings. MeToo was still at its height and ACLU certainly capitalized on Amber’s claims; not because ofnwho she was, but admittedly, because Johnny’s name brings massive attention. After Johnny won his claims against Amber, what were the organizations and media to do? Would they admit they were wrong? Walk back or apologize for all the horrible pieces they wrote against Johnny for years? Of course not.
Social media certainly responded and made their opinions known. Some anonymous accounts posted negatively against Amber-just as Johnny had endured since her claims were first published. MSM highlighted the most vitriolic ones against Amber and tried to use that hate for Amber as an example of unfair treatment for making a claim and continued to promote “beleive all women”. They certainly took no responsibility nor reported equally on the hate Johnny had endured for years from her initial allegation (even after immediate public police statements put her credibility in question). The majority of the public outcry could not be ignored: ‘You made us believe the wrong person. You tricked us.’
The book further explores the media response to the jury finding aganst Amber. MSM pushed out headlines that Amber was not the “perfect victim”. Along with Amber’s IG post, Women’s groups spun the verdict as hurting all women. Depp’s attorney’s insisted eaach case should be judge on its own merits. Many seemed to not care the jury unanimously found she lied-with malice. Amber’s lawyer tried to discredit the jury with unfounded claims. Who were all these powers behind the scenes that wanted Amber Heard to represent all victims? The book talks about the effect an unproven claim has against men. Johnny knew her claim would always stick to him. The debates still continue to this day.
Post trials, Amber’s few productions that were released floundered. There seems to be no new work for her on the horizon and she has moved to Spain. Even after proving his case, Johnny still faces backlash by those who refuse to accept the verdict and continue to use her failed allegations as a soapbox. Johnny maintains a strong fanbase which has not gone unnoticed in Hollywood. He has successfully expanded his career, branching out in various interests. He has gone public with years of his artwork including opening a gallery in NYC. He opened a new production company in Europe and is continuing to make movies with a major Studio release on his horizon.
Throughout the book, Kelly & Makiko present statements from various interviews. I was blown away by many things I had never heard. They have many quoted sources. Occasionally the book timeline might be off. The writers may unintentionally conflate some information between the two trials. I can’t imagine anyone coming in for such a short time could ever get “it all right”. But the errors I found don’t alter the meaning of the facts and outcome or attempt to force or change a narrative.
I believe this book would be ideal for readers who have minimum knowledge of the trials or who only relied on twitter posts, propoganda “documentaries” and biased books. At the same time, the book provides numerous never released interview quotes a long-time follower might be surprised at. If you continue to support Amber Heard you may not like some parts; yet the book includes interviews and quotes from her side and Amber herself. All-in-all, I think it is a very well written book and fair to both sides with no obvious motivation to push a “narrative”. I definitely recommend it.
June 23, 2025
If you followed the Depp-Heard saga from start to finish – from leaked audios to courtroom live streams – Hollywood Vampires offers you absolutely nothing new. It’s less an investigation and more a subtle puff piece skewed entirely in Amber Heard’s favour, bordering on sycophantic at times. While the authors claim to explore misogyny, fame, and abuse, they conveniently sidestep crucial context: namely, that Johnny Depp was also a victim of domestic violence.
Yes, it was a toxic relationship – a mess of money, control, and ego from Heard – but the book ignores the possibility that Heard’s manipulation was dangerous, even life-threatening. Her embellishments, contradictions, and courtroom credibility issues are brushed aside in favour of a “believe all women” narrative that feels dated and one-sided in light of the actual trial evidence.
This doesn’t read like journalism – it reads like a hit job dressed up as feminist commentary. For those seeking depth, balance, or truth, this isn’t it. It preaches to the already converted and alienates those who simply wanted facts. Disappointing, and ultimately, disingenuous.
Yes, it was a toxic relationship – a mess of money, control, and ego from Heard – but the book ignores the possibility that Heard’s manipulation was dangerous, even life-threatening. Her embellishments, contradictions, and courtroom credibility issues are brushed aside in favour of a “believe all women” narrative that feels dated and one-sided in light of the actual trial evidence.
This doesn’t read like journalism – it reads like a hit job dressed up as feminist commentary. For those seeking depth, balance, or truth, this isn’t it. It preaches to the already converted and alienates those who simply wanted facts. Disappointing, and ultimately, disingenuous.
June 22, 2025
In March 2016, I attended a symposium? Discussion? between Arizona State University Professor Lawrence Krauss and Johnny Depp. The theme of the discussion was "Finding the Creativity in Madness." Based on the timelines described in this book, 2016 was when everything started to fall apart between Amber and Johnny. As someone who saw him from the 10th row of a packed house talking about talent, Hollywood, fame? It was evident the man was in pain. The marriage was taking its toll, and likely, based on some of the subtleties, should have never happened.
I read this book because I wanted to see the perspective. Regardless of how the verdict was rendered? What is underlying this narrative is that the only winners in this battle, were the publicists, the agents, the managers, the producers, the filmmakers, the studios, and everyone else who gets their hooks into a celebrity. During the March 2016 ASU discussion, I remember Mr. Depp saying (paraphrased), "If I take a photo of you, your wife, your children, you would likely have me arrested. But it's okay for you to take photographs of me, my wife or partners, my children, because I'm supposed to allow it." This book strengthens that statement, because when accusations like these fly, it just doesn't hurt the individual. It harms everyone around them. Children most of all. Even adult children.
Neither of these individuals are perfect, and I do not think this book intends to take sides of one over the other. It isn't my place to say whether the jury in the trial got it right, or didn't. It's not my place to say he did it or she did it, because the only individuals who really know what happened are Johnny and Amber. What this book reinforced in my belief was that it was all spectacle. He's not a saint, and she's not the voice of a #metoo movement. There was fault all around. And now, it's time to say goodbye to this storyline, and allow these 2 individuals to resume something of a normal life. Although, because Depp vs. Heard continues to draw publicity, with every report on either of their activities, those that surround these two, may be unwilling to let it go.
I read this book because I wanted to see the perspective. Regardless of how the verdict was rendered? What is underlying this narrative is that the only winners in this battle, were the publicists, the agents, the managers, the producers, the filmmakers, the studios, and everyone else who gets their hooks into a celebrity. During the March 2016 ASU discussion, I remember Mr. Depp saying (paraphrased), "If I take a photo of you, your wife, your children, you would likely have me arrested. But it's okay for you to take photographs of me, my wife or partners, my children, because I'm supposed to allow it." This book strengthens that statement, because when accusations like these fly, it just doesn't hurt the individual. It harms everyone around them. Children most of all. Even adult children.
Neither of these individuals are perfect, and I do not think this book intends to take sides of one over the other. It isn't my place to say whether the jury in the trial got it right, or didn't. It's not my place to say he did it or she did it, because the only individuals who really know what happened are Johnny and Amber. What this book reinforced in my belief was that it was all spectacle. He's not a saint, and she's not the voice of a #metoo movement. There was fault all around. And now, it's time to say goodbye to this storyline, and allow these 2 individuals to resume something of a normal life. Although, because Depp vs. Heard continues to draw publicity, with every report on either of their activities, those that surround these two, may be unwilling to let it go.
August 21, 2025
Relatable and eye opening.
July 25, 2025
I am not a major celebrity follower and rarely know what the latest gossip is, but even I was aware of the Johnny Depp & Amber Heard trials. Because I wasn’t overly familiar with all the details there was a lot of new to me information here; however, if you followed it closely this might not offer you a lot of new insight. The authors mention at the start that they are aiming for a neutral position on the story, but once they switched from a documentary to a book Heard’s team no longer wished to cooperate. This left the book feeling favored toward Depp imo.
It’s an interesting read but more of a compilation of all the relationship history and subsequent legal drama. I expected more insight or conclusions I think instead of just a summary of events, but it was very thorough. It did attempt at the end to put together some deeper meaning and thoughts but it felt more like rehashing than anything else.
Side note - This is another nonfiction subtitle I didn’t understand - there didn’t seem to be any connection in the book to the “Celebrity Exploitation Machine” mentioned in the title. Also, Hollywood Vampires is the name of Depp’s band which again feels like an odd choice if you’re going for impartial storytelling.
It’s an interesting read but more of a compilation of all the relationship history and subsequent legal drama. I expected more insight or conclusions I think instead of just a summary of events, but it was very thorough. It did attempt at the end to put together some deeper meaning and thoughts but it felt more like rehashing than anything else.
Side note - This is another nonfiction subtitle I didn’t understand - there didn’t seem to be any connection in the book to the “Celebrity Exploitation Machine” mentioned in the title. Also, Hollywood Vampires is the name of Depp’s band which again feels like an odd choice if you’re going for impartial storytelling.
Read
July 14, 2025I did not really follow the trial in the news. All I can say is what a mess.
July 29, 2025
Fascinating. The crazy wealth on display, Elon Musk’s ability to avoid subpoena, the crazy extent of crazy. Two beautiful animals locked in violent dysfunction. Enough weirdness for anyone. Although the authors extend solidarity with Heard’s post Depp political career, they seem to buy the early Amber the gold digger narrative. The pro-Heard decision from the judge in the British action, and the pro-Depp decision by the American jury fall clearly with the American Populist narrative that have resulted in two Donald Trump presidential administrations. The coda shows Depp, now 60, living quietly in plain sight in London. Good book.
June 24, 2025
As many have said, this book is a puff piece opting for a sympathetic view toward AH and in depicting her as a victim when the only victim in this case was Johnny Depp, who was assaulted and slandered by her, and who was also lynched by sexist medias (including from people who are friends with AH, which is no surprise) and by manipulative and cunning misandrists who exploited Johnny's situation for their political propaganda.
So far, the only people interested in that book are JD and AH fans as both want to see if it is in his favor or hers; especially as some of his entourage were interviewed and added other details that further strengthen the reality that AH was vile, abusive, manipulative, and not a kind person. But as for the general public, the big majority are not interested in the book as the 2022 trial told them everything and the massive majority of the world (over 5 billions of people) always knew that Johnny was innocent and that AH was a mythomaniac and the only horrible person in that story.
Although what is interesting to note is how the book confirms how AH hated JK Rowling because she supported Johnny Depp; which even Dan Wootton confirmed as well as DW and AH had tried to contact JK Rowling to pressure her to fire JD and she replied back at them to stop their gimmicks or else she would sue them. So seeing AH and her sister insulting JK Rowling in private shows how she hated Jo for supporting Johnny; especially when several of JK Rowling's activist friends and allies, so many of them misandrists, were anti-Johnny and very virulent in their attacks toward him. Which shows how even when allies and friends (so many of them political vultures) were negative toward Johnny, JK Rowling stood up with him and was determined to treat him with respect; which makes her more honorable than others in showbiz or in her entourage.
So if you have watched the USA trial in 2022, or seen the audios online which proved how AH was a liar and the sole problem in that relationship, you won't learn anything groundbreaking in this book. As always, the USA trial was the best way to properly confront and debunk all the lies of AH; unlike the UK one which did not allow this as Amber was only a witness and she could not be confronted properly in her verbal claims, especially as the UK lawsuit was only set around the use of the word "wife-beater" by The Sun; not if Johnny was guilty or not of being one as attested by the UK judge himself; whose job was to decide if the rag had acted in good intentions in their editorial by describing Johnny Depp with the word they used. A fact that was also confirmed by the Court of Appeal, who even felt AH was not reliable but that the only way she could be debunked was if Johnny sued her. Which he did with his 2022 court case that, consequently, rendered null and void the UK trial decision and humiliated the UK judge as that verdict, and public opinion online and offline, considered the UK judge as a gullible clown who believed everything he heard without being a critical thinker, who should have used common sense, and who should have relied on proofs instead of the meagre words of a flagrant mythomaniac.
However this book shows also another sad reality, which is that even though Johnny Depp won in Court, exposed his abuser, proved his innocence, and his support is massive and worldwide by many billions of people even before the final verdict was reached, there will always be some media vultures trying to exploit his case for their agenda and for cash.
So those who want to read that book should either do so at a public library or find it in a used store. But otherwise, the 2022 trial and the Depp fans did a better job in presenting the truth than the medias who deliberately lied and slandered Johnny Depp for a despicable and sexist political agenda.
So far, the only people interested in that book are JD and AH fans as both want to see if it is in his favor or hers; especially as some of his entourage were interviewed and added other details that further strengthen the reality that AH was vile, abusive, manipulative, and not a kind person. But as for the general public, the big majority are not interested in the book as the 2022 trial told them everything and the massive majority of the world (over 5 billions of people) always knew that Johnny was innocent and that AH was a mythomaniac and the only horrible person in that story.
Although what is interesting to note is how the book confirms how AH hated JK Rowling because she supported Johnny Depp; which even Dan Wootton confirmed as well as DW and AH had tried to contact JK Rowling to pressure her to fire JD and she replied back at them to stop their gimmicks or else she would sue them. So seeing AH and her sister insulting JK Rowling in private shows how she hated Jo for supporting Johnny; especially when several of JK Rowling's activist friends and allies, so many of them misandrists, were anti-Johnny and very virulent in their attacks toward him. Which shows how even when allies and friends (so many of them political vultures) were negative toward Johnny, JK Rowling stood up with him and was determined to treat him with respect; which makes her more honorable than others in showbiz or in her entourage.
So if you have watched the USA trial in 2022, or seen the audios online which proved how AH was a liar and the sole problem in that relationship, you won't learn anything groundbreaking in this book. As always, the USA trial was the best way to properly confront and debunk all the lies of AH; unlike the UK one which did not allow this as Amber was only a witness and she could not be confronted properly in her verbal claims, especially as the UK lawsuit was only set around the use of the word "wife-beater" by The Sun; not if Johnny was guilty or not of being one as attested by the UK judge himself; whose job was to decide if the rag had acted in good intentions in their editorial by describing Johnny Depp with the word they used. A fact that was also confirmed by the Court of Appeal, who even felt AH was not reliable but that the only way she could be debunked was if Johnny sued her. Which he did with his 2022 court case that, consequently, rendered null and void the UK trial decision and humiliated the UK judge as that verdict, and public opinion online and offline, considered the UK judge as a gullible clown who believed everything he heard without being a critical thinker, who should have used common sense, and who should have relied on proofs instead of the meagre words of a flagrant mythomaniac.
However this book shows also another sad reality, which is that even though Johnny Depp won in Court, exposed his abuser, proved his innocence, and his support is massive and worldwide by many billions of people even before the final verdict was reached, there will always be some media vultures trying to exploit his case for their agenda and for cash.
So those who want to read that book should either do so at a public library or find it in a used store. But otherwise, the 2022 trial and the Depp fans did a better job in presenting the truth than the medias who deliberately lied and slandered Johnny Depp for a despicable and sexist political agenda.
June 29, 2025
This is a frustrating, biased book. The authors start out by saying they aim to be "fair and balanced" to both principals, and then proceed to regurgitate every debunked talking point from Depp's PR and legal team. Some examples:
1. The famous "tell the world, Johnny" audio is misquoted. Listen to the full recording (it's only 31 minutes and is available on Youtube) and you will hear that Amber does not say "a man"... but "Tell the world, Johnny. I, Johnny Depp, man... I too am a victim of domestic violence." (Listen to the full recording and you will hear that JD uses the word "man" in the same way that other people use "um" or "you know." At one point just before the more famous Amber line, he says, "Let's end this in peace. Peaceful, man.") They also miss the context of the conversation. Amber had just said he did more physical damage because he is bigger and stronger. How can a serious journalist miss this?
2. They talk about a reality show Whitney Heard participated in and use it as evidence that Amber beat her sister. Problem is, Whitney testified in the UK that the show was scripted and fake. It also wasn't used as evidence in VA.
3. When they mention Johnny's appalling email threatening "global humiliation" on his ex-wife, they reduce his violent threats (about Elon Musk) to him "talking like a pirate." Very little time is given to Depp's numerous other dark fantasies... there were at least two emails submitted in the VA trial in which he fantasized about Amber's death. He also wrote in blood graffiti in Australia, something that would sink the average person's reputation in a DV case. A real journalist would point out that violent fantasies and destruction to property are troubling to Johnny's narrative as an innocent abuse victim who never once hit Amber Heard.
4. The September 2015 recordings are similarly handled. In them, Johnny acknowledges that they have been in several physical fights in the past few months and says, "Baby, I'm scared to death, that we are a fucking crime scene waiting to happen." And, yet, the journalists don't see this as a possible hint that he was violent and has since lied about that. Instead, they focus on the fact that Amber admitted to hitting him after he ran a door over her toes.
5. Like Depp's lawyers, the authors rely on general DV ignorance in their analysis. Violent fantasies and destruction to property are considered by some DV experts to be signs of an abuser. Submitted evidence in the trials shows that Depp trashed at least two properties and spoke at least two fantasies of Amber dying. These facts are glossed over in favor of this "damning" short audio in which Amber admits to hitting him and calls him a "baby." They also treat as suspicious the fact that Amber texted Johnny to say "happy birthday" after they divorced. Anyone who has been in a DV situation knows that feelings last long after the breakup, and back sliding is normal. There is nothing abnormal about that text.
6. In a chapter about an audio done in July 2016, they ignore completely that Johnny talks about headbutting her and uses misogynistic language. (Misogyny also has links to DV.) Yet again, it's all about casting Amber as an abuser, and making Johnny look innocent.
I'm hard-pressed to think of another case that has shown such bizarre minimization of problematic male behavior. Johnny Depp lives in a world of astonishing privilege. Books like this are part of it.
1. The famous "tell the world, Johnny" audio is misquoted. Listen to the full recording (it's only 31 minutes and is available on Youtube) and you will hear that Amber does not say "a man"... but "Tell the world, Johnny. I, Johnny Depp, man... I too am a victim of domestic violence." (Listen to the full recording and you will hear that JD uses the word "man" in the same way that other people use "um" or "you know." At one point just before the more famous Amber line, he says, "Let's end this in peace. Peaceful, man.") They also miss the context of the conversation. Amber had just said he did more physical damage because he is bigger and stronger. How can a serious journalist miss this?
2. They talk about a reality show Whitney Heard participated in and use it as evidence that Amber beat her sister. Problem is, Whitney testified in the UK that the show was scripted and fake. It also wasn't used as evidence in VA.
3. When they mention Johnny's appalling email threatening "global humiliation" on his ex-wife, they reduce his violent threats (about Elon Musk) to him "talking like a pirate." Very little time is given to Depp's numerous other dark fantasies... there were at least two emails submitted in the VA trial in which he fantasized about Amber's death. He also wrote in blood graffiti in Australia, something that would sink the average person's reputation in a DV case. A real journalist would point out that violent fantasies and destruction to property are troubling to Johnny's narrative as an innocent abuse victim who never once hit Amber Heard.
4. The September 2015 recordings are similarly handled. In them, Johnny acknowledges that they have been in several physical fights in the past few months and says, "Baby, I'm scared to death, that we are a fucking crime scene waiting to happen." And, yet, the journalists don't see this as a possible hint that he was violent and has since lied about that. Instead, they focus on the fact that Amber admitted to hitting him after he ran a door over her toes.
5. Like Depp's lawyers, the authors rely on general DV ignorance in their analysis. Violent fantasies and destruction to property are considered by some DV experts to be signs of an abuser. Submitted evidence in the trials shows that Depp trashed at least two properties and spoke at least two fantasies of Amber dying. These facts are glossed over in favor of this "damning" short audio in which Amber admits to hitting him and calls him a "baby." They also treat as suspicious the fact that Amber texted Johnny to say "happy birthday" after they divorced. Anyone who has been in a DV situation knows that feelings last long after the breakup, and back sliding is normal. There is nothing abnormal about that text.
6. In a chapter about an audio done in July 2016, they ignore completely that Johnny talks about headbutting her and uses misogynistic language. (Misogyny also has links to DV.) Yet again, it's all about casting Amber as an abuser, and making Johnny look innocent.
I'm hard-pressed to think of another case that has shown such bizarre minimization of problematic male behavior. Johnny Depp lives in a world of astonishing privilege. Books like this are part of it.
August 13, 2025
3.5
I found myself utterly captivated—unable to disengage from the book’s turbulent current. I approached the subject with no personal investment in either of its central figures, yet emerged from its pages feeling complicit, if not slightly soiled. The text itself resists categorization: Is it a compendium of celebrity scandal, a foray into countercultural excess, a lurid exposé, a feminist manifesto, a forensic inquiry, or a grotesque amalgam of all these genres? Each chapter—indeed, each page—seems torn from an entirely different volume. The narrative voice oscillates: at once investigative, voyeuristic, moralizing, performatively naïve, and self-consciously superior. "First I investigate, then I leer, then I moralize, then I profess outrage. I float above my material, yet revel in it—and, not incidentally, profit from it."
The book's purpose, too, remains elusive. For those seeking insight into the tumultuous relationship between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, the courtroom proceedings are readily accessible—documented with clinical precision and free from the author’s intrusive interjections. What, then, is this book offering that the trial itself did not?
The author, to their credit, is caught in a genuine conundrum. The American public has already adjudicated this case in the court of popular opinion. Everyone "knows" who wielded the metaphorical candlestick in the drawing room, and no amount of evidence or argument will dislodge their certainty. In an effort to navigate this polarized landscape, the author attempts a radical neutrality—an equivocation that often feels like obfuscation. The trial and its verdict are background noise here; we are meant to encounter the story afresh, unmoored from precedent. Yet when the narrative momentum seems to suggest the same conclusion reached by the courts, the author interjects with jarring, contrarian commentary—muddying the waters rather than clarifying them.
There is no shortage of punchlines in this account, though rarely do they originate with Johnny Depp. Still, he remains the perpetual defendant in this strange, spectral courtroom of celebrity mythology. Even as the authors present their evidence—drawn from first-hand sources and rendered in all its unvarnished, often sordid detail—they also offer rigorous analysis and lucid critique. This, perhaps, is the book’s saving grace: it does not abandon the reader to the sensationalism of its content but seeks, through thoughtful commentary, to assemble a fuller, more coherent picture.
This world—a surreal and morally ambiguous terrain of Hollywood excess and personal implosion—is far removed from anything I have lived, or would ever wish to live. And yet, to peer into it through the lens of this book proved a riveting and unexpectedly enlightening experience. I would encourage others to engage with it, if only for the strange intellectual thrill of watching chaos distilled into narrative form.
I found myself utterly captivated—unable to disengage from the book’s turbulent current. I approached the subject with no personal investment in either of its central figures, yet emerged from its pages feeling complicit, if not slightly soiled. The text itself resists categorization: Is it a compendium of celebrity scandal, a foray into countercultural excess, a lurid exposé, a feminist manifesto, a forensic inquiry, or a grotesque amalgam of all these genres? Each chapter—indeed, each page—seems torn from an entirely different volume. The narrative voice oscillates: at once investigative, voyeuristic, moralizing, performatively naïve, and self-consciously superior. "First I investigate, then I leer, then I moralize, then I profess outrage. I float above my material, yet revel in it—and, not incidentally, profit from it."
The book's purpose, too, remains elusive. For those seeking insight into the tumultuous relationship between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, the courtroom proceedings are readily accessible—documented with clinical precision and free from the author’s intrusive interjections. What, then, is this book offering that the trial itself did not?
The author, to their credit, is caught in a genuine conundrum. The American public has already adjudicated this case in the court of popular opinion. Everyone "knows" who wielded the metaphorical candlestick in the drawing room, and no amount of evidence or argument will dislodge their certainty. In an effort to navigate this polarized landscape, the author attempts a radical neutrality—an equivocation that often feels like obfuscation. The trial and its verdict are background noise here; we are meant to encounter the story afresh, unmoored from precedent. Yet when the narrative momentum seems to suggest the same conclusion reached by the courts, the author interjects with jarring, contrarian commentary—muddying the waters rather than clarifying them.
There is no shortage of punchlines in this account, though rarely do they originate with Johnny Depp. Still, he remains the perpetual defendant in this strange, spectral courtroom of celebrity mythology. Even as the authors present their evidence—drawn from first-hand sources and rendered in all its unvarnished, often sordid detail—they also offer rigorous analysis and lucid critique. This, perhaps, is the book’s saving grace: it does not abandon the reader to the sensationalism of its content but seeks, through thoughtful commentary, to assemble a fuller, more coherent picture.
This world—a surreal and morally ambiguous terrain of Hollywood excess and personal implosion—is far removed from anything I have lived, or would ever wish to live. And yet, to peer into it through the lens of this book proved a riveting and unexpectedly enlightening experience. I would encourage others to engage with it, if only for the strange intellectual thrill of watching chaos distilled into narrative form.
June 28, 2025
Based on my understanding, the authors first set out to make a documentary and instead decided that a book would be a better format to include all the nuances that a documentary may not be able to convey. It is also my understanding that they were given access to both parties until they made the decision to write a book instead, at which time the Heard team withdrew their cooperation. If some readers feel that this book skews in the direction of favoring Depp’s side, perhaps this could be a factor?
This book is not flattering to either party. Both acted in dishonorable ways and were toxic to each other and definitely triggered each other, often intentionally. They both probably wish that they had never met, married, and in the case of Amber, written the article that finally pushed Johnny over the edge to begin litigation. I thought several times while reading this book that it’s a miracle that their relationship didn’t end up in a terrible tragedy with one or both parties no longer alive.
The book addressed Hollywood’s fickle nature and its propensity to quickly embrace a cause such as the MeToo movement, then just as quickly drop it like a discarded toy when something new and shiny comes along.
No one came out the winner here, except maybe all of the YouTubers and “influencers” who built their platforms and profited from their coverage of the whole ordeal, which quite frankly, I don’t consider to be a positive result. And of course, the attorneys on both sides. Honestly, if I could afford them, I would definitely want Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez on my side.
You could argue that the authors of the book are profiting as well, but I for one enjoyed the book and did learn a few new things about the case that I didn’t know before. I found it intelligent and thought-provoking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is not flattering to either party. Both acted in dishonorable ways and were toxic to each other and definitely triggered each other, often intentionally. They both probably wish that they had never met, married, and in the case of Amber, written the article that finally pushed Johnny over the edge to begin litigation. I thought several times while reading this book that it’s a miracle that their relationship didn’t end up in a terrible tragedy with one or both parties no longer alive.
The book addressed Hollywood’s fickle nature and its propensity to quickly embrace a cause such as the MeToo movement, then just as quickly drop it like a discarded toy when something new and shiny comes along.
No one came out the winner here, except maybe all of the YouTubers and “influencers” who built their platforms and profited from their coverage of the whole ordeal, which quite frankly, I don’t consider to be a positive result. And of course, the attorneys on both sides. Honestly, if I could afford them, I would definitely want Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez on my side.
You could argue that the authors of the book are profiting as well, but I for one enjoyed the book and did learn a few new things about the case that I didn’t know before. I found it intelligent and thought-provoking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. This is a well balanced and reasoned view at the landmark trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. If you’re a die-hard and watched all the coverage live you’re probably not going to find new information here. This is not a salacious documentary revealing new slander. What makes this narrative so powerful is that it considers both view points from a neutral perspective.
I had quite a negative view of one of the parties and have now moved to a more neutral position because this book covers just how nuanced this case it.
The book gives a sketch and timeline for the relationship and its breakdown and how the trial case worked. Then it provides an update on Depp and Heard since the trial.
The strongest part of this book is its commentary on marks celebrity status and culture and how our obsession with the rich is ruining lives and the true cost of fame and fortune. It also notes how this case has already changed and affected the world which I found interesting to listen to.
If you know nothing about out the case and like legal work I’d highly recommend. If you know a lot about the case and like legal work, you’ll probably be disappointed.
I had quite a negative view of one of the parties and have now moved to a more neutral position because this book covers just how nuanced this case it.
The book gives a sketch and timeline for the relationship and its breakdown and how the trial case worked. Then it provides an update on Depp and Heard since the trial.
The strongest part of this book is its commentary on marks celebrity status and culture and how our obsession with the rich is ruining lives and the true cost of fame and fortune. It also notes how this case has already changed and affected the world which I found interesting to listen to.
If you know nothing about out the case and like legal work I’d highly recommend. If you know a lot about the case and like legal work, you’ll probably be disappointed.
June 20, 2025
Admittedly, I wasn't super familiar with the events of these litigations as they were happening.
That being said, this book drew me in and took me for a wild ride.
Everything you could ever want to know about what really went on behind the scenes, both between Amber and Johnny, and then later, between each respective party and their legal teams, is presented clearly, cogently, and most importantly, entertainingly.
As outlandish and salacious as the details are, all the authors are presenting here are the facts, as came to them from the direct sources, in all of their unflattering glory. But what made this book special was the way the authors then offer intelligent and informed analysis and critique of all of these crazy things we are reading about happening. We aren't just left to make do with the pieces, we are given the complete picture.
It's a world far outside anything I've ever lived, or would ever want to live, but dipping in with this book proved a most exciting and informative dalliance. I would encourage everyone to give it a try.
That being said, this book drew me in and took me for a wild ride.
Everything you could ever want to know about what really went on behind the scenes, both between Amber and Johnny, and then later, between each respective party and their legal teams, is presented clearly, cogently, and most importantly, entertainingly.
As outlandish and salacious as the details are, all the authors are presenting here are the facts, as came to them from the direct sources, in all of their unflattering glory. But what made this book special was the way the authors then offer intelligent and informed analysis and critique of all of these crazy things we are reading about happening. We aren't just left to make do with the pieces, we are given the complete picture.
It's a world far outside anything I've ever lived, or would ever want to live, but dipping in with this book proved a most exciting and informative dalliance. I would encourage everyone to give it a try.
July 8, 2025
Overall Book Rating: 2.75 stars
The book wasn't terrible, but it was just WAY too long, and quite repetitive. I'm not sure if they had a minimum page count, but some things were repeated over and over again.
The way celebrities are used is terrible, but to be fair, they also reap a lot from it. Mostly money and privileges, most of us could only dream of. It’s a terrible system, but there are plenty of people who are used just as much as they are without the perks, so it’s hard for me to feel bad for them.
Overall, just meh.
Narrator Rating: 4.0 stars
The narrator did an excellent job.
Read if you're in the mood for something: challenging, dark, informative, & medium-paced
Content Warnings
The book wasn't terrible, but it was just WAY too long, and quite repetitive. I'm not sure if they had a minimum page count, but some things were repeated over and over again.
The way celebrities are used is terrible, but to be fair, they also reap a lot from it. Mostly money and privileges, most of us could only dream of. It’s a terrible system, but there are plenty of people who are used just as much as they are without the perks, so it’s hard for me to feel bad for them.
Overall, just meh.
Narrator Rating: 4.0 stars
The narrator did an excellent job.
Read if you're in the mood for something: challenging, dark, informative, & medium-paced
Content Warnings
July 21, 2025
Firstly, I did not follow this case to the minute detail nor was I huge Depp fan past his early years. I did follow along the headlines, with the world, and was intrigued. This book jumps into details of Johnny, Amber, how they met, their relationship and other relationships, the divorce, the court hearings, etc., etc. The authors had extensive access to both Johnny, Amber, their legal teams and their camps. Let's be clear, the authors do not lean one way or another. Both Johnny and Amber are equally trashed. When you read about their romance from start to finish, it's absolutely tragic how dark and revengeful it became on both sides. Also, how much media was manipulated.
All that said, I was into it, I was gripped with all the details and items I might have missed by mostly following the headlines. It was originally supposed to be a doc and I think it still should be, I need video clips and pictures.
At the end of the day, this feels like a bit of a time capsule and a course on media manipulation, fame, and the fickleness of it and lack of loyalty.
All that said, I was into it, I was gripped with all the details and items I might have missed by mostly following the headlines. It was originally supposed to be a doc and I think it still should be, I need video clips and pictures.
At the end of the day, this feels like a bit of a time capsule and a course on media manipulation, fame, and the fickleness of it and lack of loyalty.
September 16, 2025
I’m not proud of it – I couldn’t resist this gossipy look at the toxic relationship between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Four stars for how compulsively readable I found it; I can’t comment on its accuracy or neutrality. (Please note the complete lack of an index, of footnotes, of citations. Also please note that I did not buy it; I checked it out from the public library.)
Whether from my own desire that Depp not be a wife beater (though he is clearly an alcoholic and a drug addict) or from author bias, probably a little of both, I felt Depp came off better in this book than Heard did. (Although if you look at the reviews, there seem to be as many people who think it is biased for Heard as there are people who think it is biased for Depp.) So weird how Heard had her girlfriend recording virtually every moment of her life, horrifying her attorney.
The last chapter (chapter 24, Leaving Los Angeles) is truly an anticlimax. The book should have ended with chapter 23.
Whether from my own desire that Depp not be a wife beater (though he is clearly an alcoholic and a drug addict) or from author bias, probably a little of both, I felt Depp came off better in this book than Heard did. (Although if you look at the reviews, there seem to be as many people who think it is biased for Heard as there are people who think it is biased for Depp.) So weird how Heard had her girlfriend recording virtually every moment of her life, horrifying her attorney.
The last chapter (chapter 24, Leaving Los Angeles) is truly an anticlimax. The book should have ended with chapter 23.
July 10, 2025
This was well written. However, despite the promise of the title, there was no look at the Hollywood machine or any other in depth look at how media created a fire storm around this couple’s courtroom battles. Instead there was a deep dive into the drama, with a slant in Depp’s direction.
I ended up finishing this book with the same thought I started it with: they both are sucky people who abused alcohol, drugs and each other.
I ended up finishing this book with the same thought I started it with: they both are sucky people who abused alcohol, drugs and each other.
August 15, 2025
Hollywood Vampires delivers a raw, immersive dive into the Depp–Heard saga, wrapped in a provocative critique of how the media—and the public—consumes celebrity pain. Loudenberg and Wholey balance journalistic detail with social commentary, but the result may feel uneven to some: part exposé, part spectacle.
September 13, 2025
This is the best, most neutral and most extensive recounting of the whole Depp/Heard debacle, which occupied an oversized space in our culture in the year that it happened. The authors portray all of this for what it really was - a couple of damaged people, often under the influence, in a toxic, mutually abusive relationship only made worse by the outside influence of celebrity.
Want to read
September 23, 2025won in a giveaway back in june but have yet to receive my copy (as of 9/23). Ive been looking forward to reading this, as I didn't get a chance to follow the trial closely when it was happening. I will edit my review once I get a chance to read it.
June 20, 2025
Just a miserable reading experience, without a single person worth caring about.
June 26, 2025
I did think it's an interesting recap but fell a little short of tying it into broader narratives.
June 26, 2025
Similar to most of the reviews, I agree that this book didn’t bring much new information. The authors make a decent attempt at being neutral, but felt a bit pro-Johnny in the end.
July 23, 2025
This book is Johnny and Amber's relationship and their court cases.
July 24, 2025
If you followed the Depp/Heard trial, this was a fantastic retelling about the facts and timeline!
July 25, 2025
Cool Book! Recommended read.
August 7, 2025
a fantastic look at this union, dissolution, and trial
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews