Lance Bass deletes ‘disgusting’ TikTok mocking Amber Heard testimony after searing backlash
Lance Bass deletes viral TikTok mocking Amber Heard testimony (JOCE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Former NSYNC singer Lance Bass has deleted a viral TikTok in which he mocked Amber Heard’s court testimony against ex-husband Johnny Depp in court after widespread criticism.
The TikTok saw Bass, 43, reenact several moments of Heard’s testimony such as her description of getting on the floor and looking at the carpet, along with an audio of Heard in court, as she alleged that Depp had been physically abusive towards her.
“In honour of the trial starting back up… Had. To. Do. It.” He captioned the video.
The singer received stinging criticism for reacting to the $50 million defamation trial – which has covered issues including alleged sexual assault, violence, and domestic abuse – in a light-hearted and jovial manner.
One Twitter user said ongoing jokes from Lance Bass and Saturday Night Live, which also parodied the trial on its show, were “determined to dissuade victims from ever coming forward again”.
Others branded Bass a “tool” and “disgusting and disturbing”.
Amber Heard testifies in court at defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp (Steve Helber/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Heard is being sued by Depp in a defamation suit over her claims that he abused her, with Heard filing a $100 million countersuit seeking immunity from Depp’s allegations.
On her final day of testimony on Wednesday (18 May), Heard denied assaulting ex-girlfriend Tasya van Ree in 2009, claiming the allegation was planted in the press by Depp’s team as part of a “smear campaign” against her.
“I’ve never assaulted any partner. I’ve never assaulted Mr Depp or any other person I was romantically linked to, ever,” she told the court.
Heard has previously alleged that Depp sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle during her testimony, an accusation which Depp denies.
She told the court that the alleged assault occurred in 2015 after Depp accused her of cheating on him.
The court has also seen Heard accuse Depp of striking her during alcohol and drug binges, an argument occur between the former couple that resulted in Depp’s finger being severed off, and the couple’s relationship counsellor accuse the two of being “mutually abusive” towards each other.
Depp has denied sexually assaulting and abusing Heard.
