Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has described his years with former partner Vanessa Paradis as nothing short of "bliss" during an exclusive interview with AFP in Tokyo on Thursday. The 62-year-old actor opened up about his personal life while promoting his art exhibition in the Japanese capital.
Remembering the Blissful Years
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" icon revealed heartfelt memories from his relationship with the French singer and actress that spanned from 1998 to 2012. "I have nothing but incredible memories from those days," Depp emotionally shared. "They gave me time to be a tour father."
Depp explained how their relationship dynamics allowed him to embrace fatherhood fully. "Vanessa was doing her shows, you know, various tours. I got to be just daddy for a while," the veteran actor recalled. This period of domestic happiness inspired the title of Paradis's record 'Bliss', with Depp confirming: "Hence the title of her record 'Bliss'. It was bliss."
Career Turbulence and Comeback
Depp's professional life faced significant challenges following his highly publicized legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard. Their brief marriage ending in 2017 became tabloid fodder, culminating in multiple court cases that divided public opinion.
The actor's 2020 libel case against The Sun newspaper, where the publication labeled him a "wife beater," ended in defeat despite his admission of drug use but denial of violence. However, the 2022 defamation trial in the United States saw Depp emerge victorious, though the proceedings became a flashpoint in the #MeToo movement debates.
The legal turmoil cost Depp his role in the Harry Potter spin-off series "Fantastic Beasts," but the resilient actor has been making a steady comeback. He starred in "Jeanne du Barry," which opened the prestigious 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and has since directed last year's biopic of Amedeo Modigliani.
Artistic Expression in Tokyo
Depp spoke with AFP during the opening of his art exhibition in Tokyo, showcasing dozens of artworks created over three decades. The exhibition previously debuted in New York to considerable acclaim.
"Acting is a form of expression, music certainly the same, and painting, drawing, creating something," Depp told journalists during a news conference. He emphasized the importance of artistic creation in his life, stating: "I find that that is the one true, constant necessity that I must have. Otherwise my brain will explode."
The actor's artistic talents have proven commercially successful as well. His debut collection "Friends and Heroes" in Britain during 2022 sold out within hours, generating approximately three million pounds ($3.6 million at the time) through the sale of 780 prints across 37 galleries.
Despite his artistic success, Depp remains characteristically humble about his abilities. "I don't claim to be anything other than at most someone who paints. I am not even a painter really," he modestly stated.
Looking forward, the versatile artist appears in upcoming projects including "Day Drinker" and "Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol," demonstrating his continued passion for diverse creative challenges that "surprise" him and provide that essential "jolt of electricity" to his artistic spirit.
