Ever since Johnny Depp’s much-publicised defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard ended with him winning the case, the Hollywood star has been making it to the headlines almost every single day, for some good and some bad reasons.
The latest reports doing the rounds suggest that he has now begun dating attorney Joelle Rich. A leading online publication has confirmed that he is indeed seeing the lawyer who has previously represented him, and “their chemistry is off the charts.” Reportedly, the duo was hooking up “discreetly” in hotels during the earlier stages of their relationship.
The latest we hear is that Rich, amid the rumours of her budding romance with Depp, has reportedly parted ways from her husband of 10 years.
The Telegraph reports: “The British lawyer who is dating Johnny Depp after previously representing him during his High Court libel trial is understood to be separated from her university sweetheart husband.”
According to reports, Rich was married to Jonathan Rich, a director for the Bluebox Corporate Finance Group. They walked down the aisle in 2011 in a lavish Tuscany ceremony and share two kids.
Interestingly, Joelle Rich was not part of the actor’s recent legal team. However, the 37-year-old represented him during his UK libel case, where the actor sued The Sun for calling him a “wife beater.” Although the lawyer did not represent Depp in the Virginia courtroom, she attended the trial to show support. “There was no professional obligation for her being there. It was personal,” another source said earlier.
In addition to representing Depp in 2020 in the UK, she also represented Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, against the Daily Mail. Joelle Rich defended her client in a privacy case in relation to the infamous handwritten letter that Markle had sent to her father.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.