This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
A little over a week after Amber Heard sought a restraining order against her soon-to-be ex-husband Johnny Depp, alleging that he assaulted her, the actress has met with über-attorney Gloria Allred. People Magazinereports that Heard had a four-hour long "consultation with Allred Friday at the high-profile lawyer's L.A. offices.Allred, an outspoken feminist who The New York Times once described as the "go-to advocate for women caught up in a scandal," is known for choosing cases involving gender discrimination or sexual abuse. She currently represents over two dozen of Bill Cosby's accusers.
Heard's allegations of domestic abuse (she released photos showing her bruised face) at the hands of the A-list celebrity have been met with a distressing, if unsurprising, amount of backlash, with many accusing her of fabricating the charges. Heard has also filed a defamation suit against comedian Doug Stanhope, who accused her of fabricating the claims in a column for The Wrap.
The Allred story isn't the first time People has covered the unfolding scandal: amidst the many media stories angling to discredit the actress, the magazine ran a picture of Heard's bruised face on their Friday cover a few days ago, which was notable for a number of reasons. As New York Magazine's The Cut explains:
This is pretty incredible considering People's long-held tendency to protect the A-list. Last year, for example, the magazine strenuously avoided reporting on any of the Ben Affleck and Jen Garner divorce rumors until the couple was ready to make an official statement. Because of this deference, Affleck and Garner gave People the coveted exclusive announcement. By putting Heard's bruised face front and center this week, People forfeited any and all future access it might have to Depp — who, if things still go according to plan, will helm a franchise film extremely popular with People's minivan majority audience next year.
We reached out to Allred to confirm if she had taken on Heard as a client, but the famed lawyer declined to comment.
