Johnny Depp’s brief appearance at the Video Music Awards 2022 has not gone down well with his ex-wife Amber Heard’s sister Whitney Henriquez. She slammed MTV for inviting Depp to VMAs in New Jersey.
Whitney, 34, took to social media to express her anger. She shared a screenshot of MTV’s award show logo but placed a big capital D letter at the front. So now, on her page, it reads DVMA, which alludes to domestic violence.
She wrote, “@MTV you’re disgusting and clearly desperate! I really hope that none of the people that made this call have daughters….”
She also shared another message on her Instagram Story where she wrote, “I stand with Amber Heard”.
During the Sunday broadcast, Depp appeared virtually in a pre-recorded part and said to the audience, “And you know what? I needed the work.”
It was his first major TV appearance since his defamation trial victory against Amber Heard.
The actor later uploaded the clip from the awards night on his social media. “Guess who? VMAs,” he wrote in the caption.
Heard’s sister Whitney was not the only one that called out MTV for inviting Depp. A Twitter user wrote, “MTV is so disgusting for this Johnny Depp s***,” while another wrote: “Man f*** MTV for giving Johnny Depp a platform.”
Depp 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.
Whitney had spoken in support of Amber Heard when Depp won more than $10 million in damages in the defamation suit against Heard. She took to Instagram and wrote, “I still stand with you, sissy. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow I will always be proud of you for standing up for yourself, for testifying both here in Virginia and in the UK, and for being the voice of so many who can’t speak to the things that happen behind closed doors.”
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.