Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis, two of Johnny Depp’s ex lovers, have stated that he was never aggressive or violent towards them, and that charges that he is a “wife-beater” are “impossible to believe.”

Depp, 57, is suing The Sun publisher News Group Newspapers and its executive editor Dan Wootton over an April 2018 piece that referred to him as a ‘wife beater.’ He will testify again today.

Depp allegedly physically assaulted Heard during their relationship, according to The Sun’s star witness. Depp flatly disputes these allegations, claiming that it was Heard who physically attacked him.

To defend his character, Depp called upon his ex-partners, Ryder and Paradis. They will not be physically present in court.

Their court appearances were canceled, however, after the court was informed that Depp’s claim that he did not hit former partners was no longer being contested. Following a request from the media, the texts of their supportive personal remarks were made public.

‘We were together as a couple for four years,’ Ryder said in a statement. ‘I counted him as my best friend, and as close to me as family.’

Ryder and Depp were in a relationship for four years from 1989 to 1993. Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor / Getty Images

“I count our relationship as one of the more significant relationships of my life.”

“I understand that it is very important that I speak from my own experience, as I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.”

‘The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved. I cannot wrap my head around these accusations.’

“He was never, never violent towards me,“ she said. “He was never, never abusive at all towards me. He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen.”

“I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man – an incredibly loving, extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves, and I felt so very, very safe with him.

“I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true. I find it extremely upsetting, knowing him as I do.”

Stranger Things actress Winona Ryder was in a relationship with Depp in the early 1990s, and he famously tattooed ‘Winona Forever’ on his bicep, which he later changed to ‘Wino Forever’ after their breakup.

“Through all of these years, I’ve known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father,” said Paradis, who lived with the Pirates of the Caribbean star for 14 years and has two children from their relationship.

“On movie sets the actors, directors and entire crews adore him because he is humble and respectful to everyone, as well as being one of the best actors we’ve seen.”

Depp and Paradis were together for 14 years and have a son and a daughter together.
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images

Paradis wrote that Heard’s accusations are “nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me.”

“I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing, and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately people have gone on believing these false facts,” Paradis wrote.