Johnny Depp Winona Ryder
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In the ugly and never-ending court hearings between Johnny Depp and The Sin newspaper, the former’s ex-fiancée Winona Ryder and mother of his two children Vanessa Paradis are standing against allegations he is a “wife beater”.

Ryder, 48, and Paradis, 47, have said they were both shocked to learn of the abuse claims made by Depp’s former wife Amber Heard. Speaking about her four-year relationship with the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor, Ryder said she “cannot wrap [her] head around these accusations”.

“I knew Johnny very well years ago. We were together as a couple for four years, and I counted him as my best friend, and as close to me as family. I count our relationship as one of the more significant relationships of my life.

“I understand that it is very important that I speak from my own experience, as I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.

“The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved. He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me. He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen.

“I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man – an incredibly loving, extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves, and I felt so very, very safe with him.

She closed with, “I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true. I find it extremely upsetting, knowing him as I do.”

Johnny Depp Vanessa Paradis
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Paradis, who dated has known Depp for 25 years, was with him for 14 years and, as previously noted, has children with him, described the actor as “kind, attentive and a non-violent person and father.”

“On movie sets the actors, directors and entire crews adore him because he is humble and respectful to everyone, as well as being one of the best actors we’ve seen. I am aware of the allegations which Amber Heard has publicly accused Johnny of for more than four years now.

“This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me.

“I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing, and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately people have gone on believing these false facts.

“This is so upsetting as he has helped so many persons in his personal and professional life, with kindness and generosity.”

Johnny Depp Amber Heard
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While we cannot live in a society that doesn’t believe women, it’s interesting to read Ryder and Paladis’ experiences with Depp. A spokesperson for Heard, 34, said they were glad that the two actresses had not experienced what Heard had.

“However, one woman’s experience does not determine the experience of another woman.”

More to come.