For almost two months, it was the biggest celebrity news story in the world.
The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial dominated headlines in both the tabloids and the mainstream press alike.
Millions tuned in to watch the televised proceedings, in which both sides fired off daily allegations of abuse, addiction, and other forms of shocking behavior.
After a media circus like that, a few bestselling memoirs are to be expected.
And it seems that Amber is set to earn a huge payday for her literary debut.
According to a new report from OK! magazine (via Radar Online), Heard is entertaining offers in the neighborhood of $15 million for a book that she hopes will restore her reputation following her legal defeat.
“She has nothing to lose,” one insider explained.
The source noted that Heard is not afraid of losing future acting work, as she believes that the major studios have already deemed her unemployable as a result of the trial.
“Amber considers her career in Hollywood over. She’s already in talks and is excited about it,” says the insider.
“At this point, she has nothing to lose and wants to tell all,” the source said, adding that she’s not “in a position to turn down money.”
Still, Heard is likely approaching the project with trepidation, as it was writing about Depp that landed her in court in the first place.
Depp sued the actress for $50 million in damages, alleging that Heard did irreparable damage to his career with a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she identified herself as a victim of domestic violence.
In the end, he was awarded $10.35 million in compensation, while the jury granted Heard $2 million in punitive damages in response to her counterclaim.
That leaves Heard with a debt of $8.35 million, an amount that her attorneys say she’s unable to pay.
No doubt there would be satisfying irony in paying off her ex with a memoir that’s sure to portray him in a very unflattering light.
In filing their appeal, Heard’s team did not deny that Depp’s reputation has been damaged — but they argued that said damage was a result of his behavior and the restraining order Amber filed against him, which is not legally actionable.
“There is no evidence of damage to Mr. Depp’s reputation caused by Mrs. Heard’s Op-Ed,” Heard’s attorneys claimed in one filing.
“Mr. Depp testified that the damage to his reputation was when Ms. Heard obtained the DVTRO [domestic violence temporary restraining order] on May 27, 2016 — for which he cannot be compensated,”
They noted that several articles about Depp’s erratic behavior predated Heard’s essay.
Articles with headlines such as “Vodka for breakfast, 71-hour Drug Binges,” “A Star In Crisis,” and “Friends and Family Seriously Concerned” were submitted as evidence.
Heard’s appeal is expected to result in a second trial, meaning that regardless of the claims she makes in her book or in future interviews, she and Depp will likely wind up squaring off in court again very soon.
And we’re sure that yet again, millions will be paying very close attention.
Amber Heard to Earn $15 MILLION For Tell-All Memoir About Marriage to Johnny Depp?! was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip .