Wife beater Johnny Depp helps sales of Dior cologne to increase

SALES of a men’s cologne promoted by Johnny Depp have risen since a High Court judge ruled that wife-beating allegations against the actor were ‘substantially true’.

While the ruling saw the 58-year-old star ‘cancelled’ by some in Hollywood, Christian Dior retained Depp as the face of its Sauvage aftershave.

A source close to the actor told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Johnny’s fanbase has stuck by him and remains loyal to him.

‘He has enjoyed a professional relationship with Dior since 2015 and he is currently promoting the new Sauvage Elixir cologne, which is selling out on both sides of the Atlantic.

‘Sales have actually increased and Dior has no plans to drop him. In fact, many fans are going out and buying the new cologne to show their support for him.’

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star was dropped by Warner Brothers from its Fantastic Beasts franchise within days of a High Court ruling last December.

Depp lost his libel suit against The Sun newspaper which had branded him a ‘wife beater’. His ex-wife Amber Heard gave evidence that he had assaulted her on multiple occasions.

Print and TV adverts for Sauvage Elixir are running around the world, with the latest commercial showing Depp strumming the hit song Wild Thing on a guitar as a group of wolves gather around him in the desert.

Dior describes Depp as ‘uncompromising, profound, authentic’, adding: ‘Never has he been so mesmerising, so rock ’n’ roll.’

But domestic abuse campaigners have criticised Dior’s decision to continue to use Depp.

Lawyer Rachel Horman-Brown said: ‘It’s extremely disappointing and irresponsible of Dior, especially when we are looking at a situation that isn’t just an allegation any more.

‘The decision was made that Depp was abusive towards his partner and could be called a wife beater, yet Dior continues to use him. It is almost condoning abuse and violence against women.’

The Elixir advert has had more than 42million views on YouTube since its launch in September. One fan said: ‘Thank you Dior for keeping Johnny Depp in your Sauvage campaign. He is perfection.’

A spokesman for Christian Dior declined to comment.