#Deppdelusion: mediatized play, algorithmic amplification and the problematic fave

Driessen, Simone and Jones, Bethan 2026. #Deppdelusion: mediatized play, algorithmic amplification and the problematic fave. Popular Communication 10.1080/15405702.2026.2701666

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Abstract

The Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard defamation case captured attention around the globe, not least because the trial was broadcast live on Court TV, YouTube and TikTok. One noticeable feature of the case was how fans responded, producing memes, clips, gifs and other digital creations, ostensibly to “support” their favorite star. This paper, taking a Fan Studies perspective, examines fans’ use of TikTok, X and Reddit during and following the trial, and the ways in which these platforms enabled fans to discuss and perform cancellation. We explore, via a multimodal discourse analysis of 118 fan-created memes from entertainment websites, the dangers that reside in the complex dynamics of cancel culture online. Doing so, we consider how the Depp v Heard trial has become a battleground for fans to position themselves in wider political debates.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Journalism, Media and Culture
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	1540-5702
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 July 2026
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2026 11:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188630

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