The defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was one of the most publicized events last year. The trial which aired all the dirty laundry of the former married couple was the subject of memes, op-eds, and a media trial due to the parties involved. It also sparked debate on the subject of domestic abuse.
While many consider such a topic to be out of bounds for a joke, Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire seems to have thought otherwise. She came under fire for her controversial Halloween costume which depicted the couple, due to which she had to issue a formal public apology.
Emily Hampshire’s Johnny Depp-Inspired Costume
Emily Hampshire is probably best known for the sitcom Schitt’s Creek. The show ran for six seasons and starred Eugene and Dan Levy, along with Cathrine O’Hara and Annie Murphy. The Canadian show was acclaimed for its writing and performances and even won nine Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2020.
Hampshire played the role of Stevie Budd in the sitcom, a sarcastic and deadpan receptionist at the Rosebud Motel. She becomes close to Dan Levy’s David Rose and they share many of the series’ great moments. She also has a mentor-mentee relationship with Eugene Levy’s Johnny Rose. She won the Screen Actor’s Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast.
This year, Hampshire decided to dress up for Halloween as Johnny Depp, with a friend dressing up as his former wife Amber Heard. The couple went through a public defamation trial last year after accusing each other of domestic abuse during their marriage. Hampshire was widely criticized for her costume, with many terming it as an insensitive take on domestic abuse.
Emily Hampshire Issued An Apology After Fan Backlash
Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire came under fire for her Johnny Depp-inspired costume for this year’s Halloween. The actress issued an apology for her insensitive costume. She stated on her Instagram page,
“I want to address what is one of the most thoughtless, insensitive, and ignorant things I’ve ever done…I am deeply sorry and ashamed for putting something that awful out in the universe. Domestic abuse is never, ever funny…I really regret my actions.”
The photos posted by Hampshire saw her posing with a prop that looked like fake feces, a reference to the allegations put forth by Johnny Depp about Amber Heard defecating on their bed.
The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial began when Heard accused Depp of physical abuse. The allegations resulted in Depp losing out on many career opportunities such as his removal from the cast of the Fantastic Beasts franchise and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Depp sued Heard for defamation and the trial was highly publicized, with many on the internet taking sides.
Emily Hampshire’s costume drew a lot of flack from netizens and she was heavily criticized for her choice.
It really is a special kind of depraved to keep the costumes going a full year and a half later. @emilyhampshire clearly felt the need to rise to the task. pic.twitter.com/QUFE8iXwGX
— 🌹rosé🌹 (@briartearose) November 1, 2023
Anyone who participated in the global mockery, harassment and torment of an abuse and rape victim should apologize.
— stanci (@stancidru) November 1, 2023
She should be embarrassed that the only people finding this funny and misogynistic white men. This is the last group of people we should aim to please.
— Harajuku Barbie ✩ (@Envyonika) November 1, 2023
Hampshire has since deleted the pictures of her costume from her socials.
