Amber Heard’s Testimony Was a ‘Massive Performance,’ According to an Actor: ‘I Thought That Was a Little Weird’
At this point, we can zoom through the backstory behind the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard defamation trial. The two actors met on the set of the movie The Rum Diary, got married, and had a brief and seemingly volatile relationship. Heard wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post that claimed abuse (though it didn’t name Depp by name), which contributed to him claiming defamation. Both actors provided testimony during the trial, with many legal and body language experts weighing in. According to a fellow actor, Heard’s testimony came across as another performance and “a little weird.”
Amber Heard details alleged Depp abuse on the stand
Heard alleged abuse by Depp during her testimony in the defamation trial.
Heard claimed a getaway turned violent when Depp abused her inside a camping trailer. She previously detailed several violent episodes from Depp, including one where she mentioned Depp’s relationship with Kate Moss as a reason for her hitting Depp during one argument.
Legal, medical, and body language experts have weighed in throughout the trial. A clinical psychologist claims Heard triggered Depp during arguments. A body language expert believes Depp’s behavior during Heard’s testimony showed disrespect.
Another expert watching the trial claimed Heard’s closed eyes and certain phrases in her testimony came across as deceptive. A fellow actor took to social media and detailed how she thought Heard’s testimony “was a little weird.”
Actor Meredith Anne Bull calls Heard’s testimony a ‘performance’ and a ‘little weird’
Meredith Anne Bull watched Heard’s testimony during the trial and provided an actor’s perspective on what she saw.
Bull started her video by saying an actor’s job is to study human behavior to make acting seem more natural. She noted that all humans express emotion and trauma differently, but Bull said Heard’s testimony wasn’t believable to her.
“What I saw today was like ‘Massive performance to the jury: Do you believe me? Do you believe me?'” Bull said. “But knowing that she has a performer background, to see her being so big and seeing that she’s trying to get eye contact with every juror. I don’t know about you, but anytime I recall trauma, I am not trying to see if every person is making eye contact with me.”
“If anything, I’m actually probably shying away from eye contact because it’s such a vulnerable, [personal] moment, especially what she was talking about, which is abuse and [domestic violence] and all sorts of crazy stuff. I thought that was a little weird.”
Meredith Anne Bull
Bull, who said she started acting at 7 years old, does not have an acting resumé as extensive as Heard’s, but she has a few notable roles, per her IMDb profile. Her experience on film isn’t on Heard’s level, but from Bull’s perspective, Heard’s testimony was hard to believe, more like acting than recounting a traumatic experience.
A body language expert opposes Bull’s opinion of Heard’s testimony
Body language expert Judi James seemingly watched the same Heard testimony as Bull. She formed a different opinion.
Heard turning toward and looking at the jury helped establish a personal connection, as she told the MailOnline. James said Heard directly addressing the jury was a sign of respect. James also said her hairstyle also helped the jury see Heard’s testimony and eyes more clearly, which engenders trust, as if she has nothing to hide.
James also noted Heard’s varied and complex facial expressions could signify conflicted emotions.
The body language expert said Heard’s testimony might engender trust from the jury, even if the actor might appear conflicted on the stand. From her actor’s perspective, Bull said Heard’s testimony was performative. At the end of the trial, however, the judge and jury have the only opinions that matter.
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