Rihanna featured Johnny Depp in her fashion show. And it speaks volumes about his damaged reputation that his appearance evoked more jeers than cheers. Everyone is asking why she featured him.
Rihanna features Johnny Depp
Literally, why is he here? Johnny Depp made an appearance during Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 on Wednesday. During the show, in a clip shared by a fan account, the controversial actor is featured walking through a smoky forest while wearing a checkered shirt and long brown coat. In the background, the song, ‘So Fresh, So Clean,’ by OutKast plays as Depp roams the grounds.
(Rolling Stone, November 8, 2022)
I fear her reason for featuring him is as simple as cynical. Rihanna wants to rehabilitate this adjudged wife-beater. She has a pathological need to redeem “irredeemable” scoundrels. Exhibit A, of course, is her notorious relationship with Chris Brown.
Her ulterior motive
Rihanna sees in Depp, the type of scoundrel her baby daddy is. To be fair, though, A$AP Rocky was decent enough to make an honest woman of her. They’re married.
Still, Rihanna thinks redeeming and mainstreaming Depp will provide cover for A$AP Rocky. It is sad and pathetic. But it is all too understandable.