Johnny Depp will appear as a guest in Rihanna’s coming Savage X Fenty fashion show.
The actor will become the first man to take the featured “star” role in the show, which will be available to stream on Amazon Prime from Wednesday.
Other celebrities to walk in the show include models Cara Delevingne and Irina Shayk, as well as actors Taraji P Henson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Winston Duke and Marsai Martin. There will also be musical performances from Anitta and Burna Boy.
However, Depp’s inclusion in the lingerie brand’s show has been met with criticism online from some Rihanna fans, following the actor’s high-profile defamation court case with ex-wife Amber Heard earlier this year, who alleged he was physically and emotionally abusive towards her during their marriage.
In March 2021, Depp lost a libel case in the UK after he sued The Sun newspaper over a headline labelling him a “wife-beater”.
However, in June 2022, he won a defamation case in the US against Heard, and was awarded $15 million in damages.
Heard, however, won one of three counter-claims levelled against Depp, and was awarded $2m in damages.
The actress's lawyers have unsuccessfully appealed the ruling and are currently calling for a retrial.
The move has been labelled as particularly controversial as Rihanna was the victim of a violent attack by her then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, in 2009. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years probation.
Following June’s ruling in Depp’s favour, the actor, who lost several roles and deals following Heard’s claims, has been slowly making his way back into the spotlight.
Earlier this month, it was announced he would direct a biopic of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, while in August, he made a surprise appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, as the channel’s Moon Man mascot.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial - in pictures
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Amber Heard said last month that she stands by 'every word' of her testimony in her defamation trial, in which she was sued by former husband Johnny Depp. AFP -
NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie interviewed Heard in June following the trial's conclusion. She revealed how her husband Michael Feldman consulted with Depp's legal team. Photo: NBC News -
Heard says she doesn’t blame the jury for awarding Depp more than $15 million after a contentious six-week libel trial — it was later reduced to $10m. AP -
Heard reacts with her lawyer Elaine Bredehoft after the verdict was read at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse, Virginia, US, in June. AP -
Depp was in Newcastle, England, with musician Jeff Beck when the verdict was read. AP -
Heard leaves after the jury's verdict. EPA -
Heard and Depp prior to their wedding. The marriage lasted less than two years. AP -
Heard in a scene from 'London Fields'. Photo: GVN Releasing -
After losing his lawsuit against British tabloid 'The Sun', Depp said he planned to appeal the UK libel ruling, but then decided to sue his ex-wife in the US. AP -
Heard speaking at the 4th Annual Women's March LA: Women Rising in Los Angeles in January 2020. Getty Images / AFP -
Heard leaving the High Court in London in July 2020. Reuters -
A video of Depp plays on a screen before Paul McCartney's performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in June. EPA -
After speaking out about domestic abuse, Amber Heard feared she would lose her roles in the movies 'Justice League' and 'Aquaman', the latter of which she starred in opposite Jason Momoa. Photo: DC Entertainment -
Depp gestures as he arrives at the Parco della Musica venue for the 19th edition of "Alice nella Citta" in Rome, Italy. AFP -
Heard wearing an outfit from Monique Lhuillier at the Golden Globes in 2019. Reuters -
Heard arrives on the red carpet for a Golden Globes ceremony. AFP -
Heard watches the men's semi-final match at Wimbledon in 2018. EPA -
Since the trial, Depp has been playing guitar on stage in front of fans. AP -
Heard at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, in 2020. Reuters -
Heard attends the Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2016. Getty Images -
Heard wears a creation for the L'Oreal Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show presented in Paris, France, in 2021. AP -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Helen Mirren and Heard in Paris, France. AP -
After Depp filed a lawsuit against her, Heard testified she lost her contract with L'Oreal. AFP -
Depp inside the courtroom in April at the beginning of the trial. AP -
Heard is styled backstage during Paris Fashion Week in 2021. Getty Images -
Depp performs on stage at the Helsinki Blues Festival in June. EPA -
British rock guitarist Jeff Beck and Depp perform on stage at the Helsinki Blues Festival. EPA -
Depp waves to supporters as he departs the Fairfax County Courthouse after closing arguments. He never returned for the reading of the verdict. AP -
Depp received the Gold Medal of Merit on the occasion of Serbia's Statehood Day in Belgrade, Serbia, in February. Reuters -
Depp and Heard's former penthouse sits on top of Downtown Los Angeles’s famed Eastern Columbia Building and was recently put up for sale. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
There is a saltwater pool on the rooftop. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
There is an additional lounge area on the staircase landing. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
The apartment measures 1,780 square feet. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
The penthouse apartment has one bedroom. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
The kitchen and lounge area. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty
