Musician Sam Fender has apologized to an online mob following backlash after he posted an Instagram post referring to Johnny Depp as a “hero.” The photo, featuring Depp and John Beck, was posted before Depp was awarded $10 million in damages in a defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.
Fender became the target of an outrage mob on social media and chose to apologize in a lengthy Instagram post.
“I want to apologize,” the apology began. “I was invited to briefly meet a musical legend and an actor who has been in almost every film I’ve watched growing up. I went- we chatted music and without thinking I took a photo and posted it as it was pretty surreal.”
“Using the word ‘heroes’ was meant in reference to their careers, but in the context of the trial was severely misinformed. I now realize that it was a poor choice of words and timing, but that’s irrelevant. It was naive and disrespectful to those who relate to any of the issues highlighted in the trial and the broader issues it poses. I didn’t think it through and I should have.”
He added: “I can’t really say anything other than that it was ill-judged and I was ignorant with regards to the trials as a whole, and thoughtless on what my post could imply.
“I realize this entirely and for that I am deeply sorry.”
Following the verdict in his defamation case against his ex-wife, Depp said: “Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.
“And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”
