Johnny Depp fan brings emotional support alpacas to court: 'I thought they might brighten his day'

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By Carina Murphy

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A Johnny Depp fan has come up with a unique way to cheer him up.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star is currently embroiled in a $50 million defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, who he is suing over a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post in which she claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.

Depp, 58, maintains that he was the real victim in their volatile marriage and has taken to the witness stand to testify that Heard was both emotionally and physically abusive towards him.

Meanwhile, legions of Depp's flans have been flocking to the courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, where the trial is taking place to lend him their support.

But one fan has gone a step further, making an extra special effort to bring a smile to the actor's face. The woman - identified as Andrea Diaz by The Washington Post - brought two support alpacas along to the courtroom, standing outside with them while the trial was going on.

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

Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Depp will actually get to see the two furry animals - named Dolce and Inti - because he has been entering and exiting the courthouse through a gated black entrance.

But Diaz said she had to try and figured she "would just give it a shot." The fan 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.

This is not the first time that alpacas have made headlines in the blockbuster trial, which has now raged for over two weeks. Several days ago, Depp was asked by Heard's attorney Ben Rottenborn whether he could ever be convinced to return to the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean movies, from which he was dropped by Disney in the wake of Heard's accusations.

"The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?" Rottenborn asked.

"That is true, Mr. Rottenborn," the actor replied.

Diaz - who hung a 'Justice for Johnnie' sign around one of her alpaca's necks - told Law&Crime Network that she was rooting for Depp. "I hope he gets justice, whatever the judge sees fit," she said to the outlet.

Featured Image Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy