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Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial has uncovered a lot of dark details about the former couple's previous relationships. While Depp's exes have defended him against Heard's accusations, the Aquaman actress is now slammed for reportedly abusing her ex-girlfriend, Tasya Van Ree. Here's what really happened.
When Did Amber Heard Date Tasya Van Ree?
Heard and Van Ree dated from 2008 to 2012. The two got into a domestic partnership when the actress was only 22. At the time, gay marriages were not legal in the U.S. yet. Heard then adopted Van Ree's last name and changed it back when they separated. In 2010, the actress publicly came out as bisexual. "I was always out. I was an activist. I went to protests. I refused to not bring my partner at the time, but no one ever asked me about it," Heard said of her coming out in 2017.
She continued: "And an outlet specifically asked me who I was there with that night and who that person was to me and I just answered honestly, the way I always answered had there not been a tape recorder on me. She added that it "definitely was a big deal," opening up about Van Ree back then. "Then I saw I was attached to a label … I never have myself defined by the person I'm with," Heard shared. "I never saw myself defined as one particular thing or not. So, I watched as I quickly became not actress Amber Heard, but out lesbian Amber Heard."
It also affected her career — directors once questioned her ability to play a straight woman in a "romantic lead" role. "I rolled my eyes at that. And I said, 'Watch me do it.' And I did it," she recalled. "It did impact my career, it was difficult. It was not easy," Heard continued. "I was the only one working in this way, so it was definitely difficult because no one had done it. I did that even though everyone told me it would end my career, without a doubt."
Did Amber Heard Really Abuse Her Ex-Girlfriend Tasya Van Ree?
During the Defamation trial, Depp said that "several women who have been in a relationship with Ms. Heard have come forward to share their personal experiences of brutal violence and other abuse at the hands of Ms. Heard." In 2009, Heard was arrested but not charged for domestic violence against Van Ree after an altercation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. But in 2016, the photographer claimed that the actress' actions were "misinterpreted."
"Amber was wrongfully accused for an incident that was misinterpreted and over-sensationalized by two individuals in a power position," Van Ree told Us Weekly. "I recount hints of misogynistic attitudes toward us which later appeared to be homophobic when they found out we were domestic partners and not just 'friends.' Charges were quickly dropped and she was released moments later." While there isn't substantial evidence to prove Heard's guilt in their alleged altercation, fans strongly believe that it's linked to her claimed abuse against Depp.
Even Alec Baldwin's daughter, Ireland Baldwin weighed in. "The thing is, I know women who are exactly like this. They are manipulative and cold and they use their very womanhood to play victim and turn the world against the man because we live in a society where it's cool to say men are all the worst and blah blah f***ity blah," Baldwin wrote on her Instagram post. "Men can experience abuse too and this absolute disaster of a human being Amber Heard is a terrible person. I hope Johnny gets his reputation and his life back."
Amber Heard & Tasya Van Ree's Relationship Today
Van Ree also told Us that she and Heard have remained close even after their split. "It's disheartening that Amber's integrity and story are being questioned yet again," she said of her ex-girlfriend. "Amber is a brilliant, honest and beautiful woman and I have the utmost respect for her. We shared 5 wonderful years together and remain close to this day."
In 2020, during Depp's libel trial, it was revealed that he had vandalized a painting Van Ree gave to Heard. The actor allegedly altered the artist's name to "van PEE." It was also said in court that Depp sent a photo of it to his then-girlfriend's sister, Whitney Henriquez, to which she replied, "Well done, my friend, well done. The van Pee painting earns you 20 points in my book." Depp texted back, "Can't stand that f–king hovering vulture." Heard claimed that Depp had accused her of having an affair with Van Ree during an explosive fight in 2013.