Johnny Depp fan spends '$30,000' to supporting him at trial

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By stefan armitage

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Johnny Depp fans have admitted to spending tens of thousands of dollars in order to support the actor amid his ongoing defamation trial against Amber Heard.

The 58-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star is suing his ex-wife for $50 million after she referred to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse" in a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post.

Although she never mentioned Depp by name within the piece, the actor has repeatedly denied any allegations of physical abuse against Heard.

The 36-year-old Aquaman star is countersuing for $100 million - claiming she was only ever violent against Depp in self-defense or defense of her younger sister, per NBC News.

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Credit: Sipa US / Alamy

And ever since the trial commenced back on April 11, many of Depp's fans have gathered outside of the courtroom in Fairfax, Virginia, to show their support for the actor.

Speaking to PEOPLE, one fan by the name of Sharon Smith revealed that she flew from the UK in order to attend the trial.

The 52-year-old superfan revealed that after ending a 12-year relationship back in Britain, she flew out to Virginia to offer support for Depp when the trial began last month.

Smith told the publication that when the trial is not in session, she flies to Los Angeles and stays there.

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Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy

She says that with the hotels, flights, food, and other expenses, she's spent "about $10,000" to be there.

However, one fan can top this.

LA native Ivan De Boer, 59, admitted to PEOPLE that she has used all her paid vacation time for the year in order to attend the trial.

"I took my whole year's vacation so I could be here for Johnny," she told the publication. "I'm the same age as Johnny. I'm single, so I do what I want to, basically."

All-in-all, De Boer says she has racked up $30,000 on expenses - but adds that she has "no regrets".

"I'd regret it more if I wasn't here," she told PEOPLE.

Other fans have been showing their support for Depp in other ways.

The woman, identified as Andrea Diaz by The Washington Post, has been pictured bringing two support alpacas along to the courtroom, standing outside with them while the trial was going on.

Diaz started a business during the pandemic that brings alpacas to children to help raise their spirits and hopes that the friendly creatures will have the same effect on Depp.

"I thought the alpacas might brighten his day," Diaz told the Post.

Featured image credit: Abaca Press / Alamy