The high-profile defamation trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp captivated onlookers since it began in April, with many tuning into the live court room proceedings. Public opinion split viewers, who began rallying behind their respective parties on social media. As the trial played out, Depp‘s fans showed their support by purchasing Dior’s Sauvage cologne, of which he’s been the face of the campaign since 2015.
The case concluded Wednesday, after a 12-hour jury deliberation found Heard and Depp both guilty of defamation in their legal battles against one another. Depp, however, was awarded a cumulative $15 million in damages while Heard was granted $2 million, resulting in a legal win for the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
Depp claimed he lost out on several different contracts after Heard wrote an op-ed in 2018 for The Washington Post, describing herself as a survivor of domestic violence. While the Aquaman actress never explicitly referred to her ex-husband by name, Depp claimed $50 million in damages in 2019, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
French luxury house Christian Dior continued to maintain their ties to Depp, keeping him as the face of the fragrance Dior Sauvage since its 2015 launch, although the maison has received backlash for their support of Depp throughout the trial.
According to WWD, Hey Discount data shows that Google searches for Sauvage have increased 48 percent in the last month alone. WSJ. Magazine reports that the cologne is currently the best-selling men’s fragrance on both Sephora’s e-commerce platform, as well as Ulta’s. The publication states Sauvage is the fourth top-selling men’s eau de parfum on Amazon’s website. Videos on TikTok related to Dior Sauvage have accumulated a whopping 375.6 million views.
In a quote acquired by WSJ. Magazine, a spokesperson for the actor said, “He knows that Dior, in particular, has been steadfast and unwavering in its support and he will always be grateful to them and to all those who have supported him through the sales on his behalf.”
One of Depp’s Dior campaigns for the Sauvage cologne came under fire in 2019 for cultural appropriation, after Depp was featured alongside a Native American dancer in a video teaser, which caused backlash. Depp said in a statement at the time to The Hollywood Reporter, “There was never — and how could there be or how would there be — any dishonorable [intent]. The film was made with a great respect for the indigenous people not just of North America but all over the world.”
