CBS anchor Gayle King confronted attorney Camille Vasquez on Thursday over social media rumors that she and her high-profile client — actor Johnny Depp — had been romantically involved.
Vasquez joined King on “CBS Mornings” to discuss the recent defamation case between Depp and his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, and the conversation turned to the rumors surrounding the attorney’s relationship with her client.
"With all of the fame also comes all the, pettiness, some cattiness and some could say hatery, I call it, because there are a lot of social media rumors that you and Johnny Depp were romantically involved," Gayle King confronts Depp attorney Camille Vasquez. pic.twitter.com/aG5PHqLJSQ
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Concerning the case, King noted that both sides had made some pretty awful accusations — and both Depp and Heard had admitted to doing things that did not necessarily paint them in the most flattering of lights.
“Clearly, he won in the court of public opinion. Clearly, he won legally, too. But was he damaged in any way because of this?” King asked.
“I think he came into this case thinking he had nothing else left to lose, Gayle,” Vasquez replied. “And I think for him it was he had to put it all out there.”
Vasquez went on to say that Depp’s legal team — composed primarily of younger associates — had probably compensated for their youth by over-preparing.
“I think the pressure of it all made us probably over-prepare. So we were really prepared and I think that can’t be understated,” she explained.
“You know, there were also — with all of the fame also comes all the, pettiness, some cattiness and some could say hatery, I call it, because there are a lot of social media rumors that you and Johnny Depp were romantically involved,” King said.
Vasquez acknowledged that she was aware of the rumors.
“Why do you think those rumors started? And what did you think when you heard them?” King asked.
“It was disappointing to hear them, but I think they started because people like love stories. They like to make things up. Right? Um, doesn’t mean they’re true. And obviously in this case, they weren’t true. Never have been true,” Vasquez denied the rumors unequivocally.
“I think people thought, well, you know, they are kind of touchy-feely,” King continued.
Vasquez pushed back, saying that she was just a “touchy-feely” type of person. “I mean, that’s just who I am. I’m naturally described as a warm person. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with caring for your clients. Right? I was fighting for his life, his name.”
“It’s perfectly normal, I think, to be able to extend a hand and give him a hug and make him feel like he was protected. We all were that way with him. Each other and with him. Just supportive and protective,” she added.