The internet has been buzzing with rumors that something might be wrong with Johnny
Depp, after photos from his summer 2018 tour with his band, the Hollywood Vampires, show
the A-lister looking noticeably frailer than usual.
Considering everything that's happened to him in the last few years, it's no surprise
fans are concerned about his well-being, but is there any real cause for concern?
Let's take a look at some of the potential reasons behind Depp's dramatic transformation.
Rough stuff
Depp is currently being sued by a pair of former bodyguards who allege that they were
not paid for many hours of overtime and deprived of breaks while working for him between April
2016 and January 2018.
During that time, the guards reportedly witnessed the Pirates of the Caribbean star, quote,
"engaging in illegal activity," including the use of illicit substances.
Whether or not that alleged substance use is responsible for his current condition is
unknown, but there are certainly those who believe it may be as a result of these reports.
Meanwhile, the actor-slash-musician has also been known to overdo it with drinks at times.
As the dark details of his looming financial woes began to surface amidst multiple lawsuits
involving his former management company, he was blasted for reportedly budgeting as much
as $30,000 a month for wine alone.
That kind of consumption can take its toll, but again, no one knows for sure how much
of an impact it's had on his apparent physical condition.
Bad behavior
The same bodyguards who filed suit against Depp for creating a toxic work environment
have also maintained that working with Depp had become dangerous to them physically.
They claim to have witnessed some truly shocking behavior from him during their shifts, including
an incident in which another member of Depp's security team accidentally shot himself.
"What are the odds?"
Depp also made headlines in May 2018 while filming City of Lies, a crime thriller in
which he plays real life cop Russell Poole, who was the man tasked with finding the killers
of late rapper Biggie Smalls.
Insiders claimed Depp wrestled directing duties away from helmer Brad Furman during one particular
scene, which led to an embarrassing altercation with a veteran location manager.
The incident reportedly culminated in Depp punching the man in the ribs and being dragged
away while offering to pay the man to punch him back.
Repeated turmoil like that could certainly explain a lack of attention to one's well-being,
especially considering how many of his other personal problems have become public in recent
years.
Domestic disputes
Depp's health also may have begun to suffer ever since his nasty split from Amber Heard
put him atop every tabloid in the world.
The actor was accused of domestic abuse by his estranged wife, who then filed for divorce
from him in 2016, at which time some sources claim he began to appear much thinner during
public appearances.
Depp called the claims, quote, "salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation, and
lies," but his former management company backed up Heard's version of events and alleged Depp
had abused his wife.
Depp reportedly fled to the Bahamas to escape the media spotlight when the domestic abuse
allegations first broke and has struggled to come to terms with the resulting backlash
ever since.
Making matters worse, Depp has also been forced to reckon with his lavish lifestyle choices,
which left him struggling to stay afloat financially and in the middle of multiple lawsuits against
his former money handlers.
Role reduction
Despite all of the concerning headlines, what's really gotten fans worried about Johnny Depp
is a series of photos of him looking gaunt, pale and extremely unwell in recent weeks.
The snaps in question were taken on the Russian leg of the Hollywood Vampires' performance
tour, during which Depp's admirers took to social media to voice their concern over the
images.
But those concerns may be displaced.
While some Depp fans have been fearing the worst, others have been quick to point out
that his shocking appearance could be connected to his role in Richard Says Goodbye.
The film stars Depp as a college professor whose life is turned upside down when he receives
a devastating diagnosis from his doctor.
Depp could certainly be expected to undergo a severe physical transformation on-screen
as a part of portraying the character, since he suffers from a terminal illness.
Considering the actor has made an entire career out of being a screen chameleon who's not
afraid to change his looks for a part, such a personal commitment to the drawn-down look
would be rather natural for him, really.
After all, he's done it before.
When Depp agreed to play vampire Barnabas Collins in Tim Burton's Dark Shadows, for
example, he went through a dramatic weight loss before filming by eating nothing but
pineapples and strawberries and drinking green tea.
If his thinner frame is owed to a film role this time as well, he's certainly gotten the
world's attention and given the film tons of free advance press as a result of these
snaps.
Hey, it worked for Matthew McConaughey.
More importantly, there've been a number of subsequent images that show the actor looking
healthy and happy on tour with his bandmates, so perhaps this is all just a case of bad
lighting.
"Oh my god!
He's out here.
A lot of people want to say hello."
"Hello."
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