Johnny Depp’s performance at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday has garnered mixed reactions from viewers.
“It’s definitely a choice to have Johnny Depp be the #VMAs Moon man,” radio producer Shem tweeted.
“Johnny Depp appearing at the VMAs for funny cameos is really f–king gross” journalist Alex Suskind echoed.
However, a third Twitter user disagreed, tweet“Johnny Depp said ‘Hey, I needed the work’ was pretty funny, but you have to be a good read into the Depp drama to know what it’s about. That said, kudos to the #VMAs for being a defamed man a chance to be back in the spotlight.”
In the few seconds Depp, 59, appeared on screen, he appeared via a hologram dressed as the VMA’s iconic silver astronaut statue that awards winners. He joked, “Hey, you know what? I needed the work.”
LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out” was then heard in the background in what appears to be a quirky nod to the actor’s toxic relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard.
It appears that Depp will appear sporadically on the show, as he appeared on another segment of the show with a different quip saying, “I just want you guys to know I’m available for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings.” , wakes . Any old thing you need.”
A source close to production confirmed to The Post on Aug. 21 that Depp would make a surprise appearance at the awards ceremony.
People on social media already had plenty of opinions about the “Pirate of the Caribbean” star’s guest stint at the VMAs when the news first broke.
from one person tweetwho received over 4,000 “likes,” read, “hollywood LOVES to remind everyone how much they live to protect abusers. they’ll do anything to do it, actually. Johnny Depp has no real connection to the VMAs.” , but he could be there anyway, because that’s what they do.”
Another disagreed, however. tweet“Johnny Depp will be attending the VMAs – nothing makes me happier than to see this man get his life back now that the nightmare he went through is finally over. You can’t control a good man. I’m so proud of him #SupportJohnnyDeppAtVMAs the king is back . #JohnnyDeppRises”
The VMA’s action comes more than two months after Depp won his libel lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
While the verdict was mostly in favor of the “Edward Scissorhands” star, several damning accusations were leveled against him during the highly publicized trial.
Heard, 36, claimed during her testimony that Depp beat and threatened to kill her when he abused drugs and alcohol. She also accused him of succumbing to bouts of jealousy, especially over her interactions with her former co-star James Franco.
Depp vehemently denied all claims of abuse since Heard first made her allegations.
After the trial, the “Black Mass” star said he felt “peaceful” and “overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world.”
His career also seemed to recover quite quickly.
Aside from his VMA appearance, Depp will direct a film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani and co-produce the film with Al Pacino and Barry Navidi.
According to TMZ, he also signed a multi-year seven-figure deal to continue appearing as the famous face of Dior’s best-selling Sauvage cologne.