‘Guess who?’ Johnny Depp appears at the MTV VMAs as the award show’s iconic Moonman… as he embarks on comeback after ugly court battle with ex Amber Heard
- The 59-year-old actor was shown hovering high above the stage as the network’s Moonman logo with only his face visible on a helmet in his first major public appearance since his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard , 36
- Johnny was not actually in the suit, but his voice could be heard saying, ‘I just want you guys to know that I’m available for birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, any old thing you need’
- The actor also shared a clip on Instagram and wrote in the caption for his roughly 27.5 million followers, ‘guess who? #VMAs’
- The MTV Video Music Awards appearance was Johnny’s first major sighting on US television since he was a guest in 2017 on the Jimmy Kimmel Live talk show
- MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with NASA footage of the historic Apollo 11 landing in 1969 with the MTV flag being planted on the moon
- The Moonman has been the centerpiece of the VMA winner’s statue and in 2017 the network unveiled a new ‘Moon Person’ design to mark its 40th anniversary
- The Depp v. Heard trial was held in Fairfax County, Virginia from April 2022 to June 2022 and its livestream was widely watched and generated heavy traffic on social media
- The jury found in favor of Johnny who was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages from Amber
Johnny Depp made a surprise comeback at the MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey on Sunday, that prompted a mixed reaction on social media.
The pre-recorded bit showed Depp, 59, dressed up as the music channel’s iconic Moonman logo in his first major TV appearance since his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.
Depp – whose face appeared to be superimposed in the space suit – could be heard in a voice over saying: ‘I just want you guys to know that I’m available for birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, any old thing you need.’
Alluding to his drama with his ex-wife Heard, 36, that he claims caused him to miss out on film roles, the embattled actor joked: ‘And you know what? I needed the work.’
Comeback appearance: Johnny Depp made a surprise comeback appearance with a floating astronaut suit on Sunday during the MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey
Johnny also shared a clip of the video on Instagram.
He wrote in the caption for his roughly 27.5 million followers, ‘guess who? #VMAs’.
The MTV Video Music Awards appearance was Johnny’s first major sighting on US television since he was a guest in 2017 on the Jimmy Kimmel Live talk show.
Johnny in the spacesuit made a few appearances throughout the awards show broadcast from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
‘VMAs let’s get back to the f***ing music, shall we,’ he also said at one point from the spacesuit.
MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with NASA footage of the historic Apollo 11 landing in 1969 with the MTV flag being planted on the moon. Those first images were followed by the first music video of Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles.
The Moonman has been the centerpiece of the VMA winner’s statue and in 2017 the network unveiled a new ‘Moon Person’ design to mark its 40th anniversary.
Iconic imagery: MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with NASA footage of the historic Apollo 11 landing in 1969 with the MTV flag being planted on the moon
Johnny sued his ex-wife Amber in February 2019 over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post and she countersued him in August 2020.
The Depp v. Heard trial was held in Fairfax County, Virginia from April 2022 to June 2022 and its livestream was widely watched and generated heavy traffic on social media.
The jury found in favor of Johnny who was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages from Amber. The punitive damages were later lowered to $350,000 due to a limit imposed by Virginia state law.
Giving testimony: Amber Heard is shown in May giving testimony in the explosive Depp v. Heard defamation trial in Virginia
Public trial: Johnny sued his ex-wife Amber, shown together in October 2015 in London, in February 2019 over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post and she countersued him in August 2020
Johnny over his long career has won five MTV Movie Awards, including Best Male Performance, Best Villain, Global Superstar and the Generation Award in 2012.
His appearance at the 2022 VMAs was met with mixed reactions on social media.
Some users on Twitter loved seeing him again and appreciated his self-deprecating sense of humor.
Others, however, thought MTV made a ‘poor decision’ and one tweet criticized Johnny for engaging in a ‘humiliation ritual to be accepted back into Hollywood.’
Mixed reactions: The actor’s appearance at the 2022 VMAs was met with mixed reactions on social media with some happy to see him
Clever guy: A tweet praised Johnny for his ‘extremely clever’ choice of words
Poor decision: Another Twitter user thought Johnny as Moonman was a ‘poor decision’
Humiliation ritual: Johnny’s comeback was viewed by a Twitter user as an embarrassing ‘humiliation ritual to be accepted back into Hollywood’
Johnny will be making his return to acting in the upcoming period piece Jeanne du Barry that began filming last month in France.
Images were shared earlier this month of Johnny as his character King Louis XIV in the film directed by French director Maïwenn, 46, who also stars in the movie.
Johnny also will direct an upcoming film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, co-produced by Al Pacino and Barry Navidi.
Acting return: Johnny, shown in May 2017 in Los Angeles, will be making his return to acting in the upcoming period piece Jeanne du Barry that began filming last month in France
MTV Video Music Awards 2022 WINNERS
Video of the year
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was“ – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” – Republic Records – WINNER
Artist of the year
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment – WINNER
Drake – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Lil Nas X – Columbia Records
Lizzo – Atlantic Records
Album of the year
Adele – “30” – Columbia Records
Bad Bunny – “Un Verano Sin Ti” -Rimas Entertainment
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom and Interscope Records
Drake – “Certified Lover Boy” -OVO Sound and Republic Records
Harry Styles – “Harry’s House” – WINNER
Song of the year
Adele – “Easy on Me” – Columbia Records
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – WINNER
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “Stay” – Columbia Records
Best new artist
Baby Keem – Columbia Records
Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records – WINNER
GAYLE – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
Latto – Streamcut / RCA Records
Måneskin – Arista Records
Seventeen – PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records
Song of summer
Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone – “Me Porto Bonito”
Beyoncé – “BREAK MY SOUL”
Charlie Puth – “Left And Right (feat. Jung Kook of BTS)”
Doja Cat – “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS)”
Future ft. Drake, Tems – “WAIT FOR U”
Harry Styles – “Late Night Talking”
Jack Harlow – “First Class” – WINNER
Kane Brown – “Grand”
Latto x Mariah Carey – “Big Energy (Remix) ft. DJ Khaled”
Lizzo – “About Damn Time”
Marshmello x Khalid – “Numb”
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”
Nicky Youre, dazy – “Sunroof”
Post Malone with Doja Cat – “I Like You (A Happier Song)”
ROSALÍA – “BIZCOCHITO”
Steve Lacy – “Bad Habit”
Push performance of the year
September 2021: Griff – “One Night” – Warner Records
October 2021: Remi Wolf – “Sexy Villain” – Island Records
November 2021: Nessa Barrett – “i hope ur miserable until ur dead” – Warner Records
December 2021: SEVENTEEN – “Rock With You” – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records – WINNER
January 2021: Mae Muller – “Better Days” – Capitol Records UK
February 2022: GAYLE – “abcdefu” – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
March 2022: Sheneesa – “R U That” – Rich Immigrants / Interscope Records
April 2022: Omar Apollo – “Tamagotchi” – Warner Records
May 2022: Wet Leg – “Chaise Longue” – Domino Recording Company
June 2022: Muni Long – “Baby Boo” – Supergiant Records LLC / Def Jam Recording
July 2022: Doechii – “Persuasive” – Top Dog Entertainment / Capitol Records
Best collaboration
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records – WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
Post Malone & The Weeknd – “One Right Now” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
ROSALÍA ft. The Weeknd – “LA FAMA” – Columbia Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
Best pop
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records – WINNER
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “traitor” – Geffen Records
Best hip-hop
Eminem & Snoop Dogg – “From The D 2 The LBC” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future ft. Drake, Tems – “WAIT FOR U” – Freebandz / Epic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto – “Big Energy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – “Do We Have A Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records – WINNER
Pusha T – “Diet Coke” – G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam
Best rock
Foo Fighters – “Love Dies Young” – RCA Records
Jack White – “Taking Me Back” – Third Man Records
Muse – “Won’t Stand Down” – Warner Records
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Black Summer” – Warner Records – WINNER
Shinedown – “Planet Zero” – Elektra Music Group
Three Days Grace – “So Called Life” – RCA Records
Best alternative
Avril Lavigne ft. blackbear – “Love It When You Hate Me” – Elektra Music Group / DTA Records
Imagine Dragons x JID – “Enemy” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
Machine Gun Kelly ft. WILLOW – “emo girl” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records
Måneskin – “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” – Arista Records – WINNER
Panic! At The Disco – “Viva Las Vengeance” – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
Twenty One Pilots – “Saturday” – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
WILLOW, Avril Lavigne ft. Travis Barker – “G R O W” – MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation Records
Best Latin
Anitta – “Envolver” – Warner Records – WINNER
Bad Bunny – “Tití Me Preguntó” – Rimas Entertainment
Becky G X KAROL G – “MAMIII” – Kemosabe Records / Sony Music Latin / RCA Records
Daddy Yankee – “REMIX” – Republic Records
Farruko – “Pepas” – Sony Music US Latin
J Balvin & Skrillex – “In Da Getto” – Sueños Globales, LLC /Universal Music Latino / Asylum Records UK
Best R&B
Alicia Keys – “City of Gods (Part II)” – AKW
Chlöe – “Have Mercy” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
H.E.R. – “For Anyone” – RCA Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool/RCA Records
Summer Walker, SZA & Cardi B – “No Love (Extended Version)” – LVRN / Interscope Records
The Weeknd – “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records – WINNER
Best K-pop
BTS – “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
ITZY – “LOCO” – JYP Entertainment
LISA – “LALISA” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – WINNER
SEVENTEEN – “HOT” – PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “MANIAC” – JYP Entertainment
TWICE – “The Feels” – JYP Entertainment
Video for good
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto – “P*ssy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records – WINNER
Rina Sawayama – “This Hell” – Dirty Hit
Stromae – ”Fils de joie” – Mosaert Label / The Darkroom / Interscope Records
Best metaverse performance
BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – WINNER
BTS | Minecraft – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
Charli XCX | Roblox – Atlantic Records
Justin Bieber – An Interactive Virtual Experience | Wave – Def Jam
Rift Tour ft. Ariana Grande | Fortnite – Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
Best longform video
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Foo Fighters – Studio 666 – RCA Records
Kacey Musgraves – star-crossed – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
Madonna – Madame X – Interscope Records
Olivia Rodrigo – driving home 2 u – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” – Republic Records – WINNER
Best cinematography
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Camila Cabello ft. Ed Sheeran – “Bam Bam” – Epic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records – WINNER
Kendrick Lamar – “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” – Republic Records
Best direction
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” – Republic Records – WINNER
Best art direction
Adele – “Oh My God” – Columbia Records
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic Records
Kacey Musgraves – “simple times” – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records – WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
Best visual effects
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Coldplay X BTS – “My Universe” – Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records – WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
Best choreography
BTS – “Permission to Dance” – BIGHIT Music/Geffen Records
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – WINNER
FKA twigs ft. The Weeknd – “Tears In The Club” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Best editing
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
ROSALÍA – “SAOKO” – Columbia Records – WINNER
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” – Republic Records
The Weeknd – “Take My Breath” – XO / Republic Records
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