Fans of Amber Heard think Dame Helen Mirren made a subtle supportive gesture towards the American actress earlier this evening.
Dame Helen debuted a new blue hairstyle as she walked Cannes red carpet in a striking lilac dress, but it was the Prime Suspect star's choice of accessories that got everyone talking online.
The Queen actress, 77, posed for pictures in France this evening with a folding bamboo-style fan on imprinted with the hashtag '#WorthIt' - something some Twitter users think is a nod to Aquaman actress Amber.
But amid the social media speculation, Helen has shared a statement regarding the bamboo fan.
Speaking to the Mirror, Helen said: "No secret message was intended; I am a L’Oréal ambassador, they are a sponsor of the festival, and quite truthfully, I picked up a fan because I was hot. “Because You’re Worth It” is the official L’Oréal Paris slogan."
Amber, who has appeared in beauty campaigns alongside Helen, has retreated from the spotlight following a high-profile court case between herself and ex-husband Johnny Depp last year ruling heavily in his favour.
But her loyal fans have consistently shown their support for the actress on social media, often using the hashtag #AmberIsWorthIt.
Depp, who is also in Cannes this evening, was awarded compensatory damages of $10million (£8 million) and a further $5 million (£4 million) in punitive damages on June 1 , following a six-week long high-profile televised defamation, in which a jury found Amber's allegations to be false and defamatory of Depp.
The jury also found the Pirates of the Caribbean star liable for defamation against his one-time wife when one of his attorneys claimed her allegations of sexual abuse were a "hoax." They awarded the mum-of-one $2 million in compensatory damages and $0 in punitive damages.
As Dame Helen walked the red carpet in Cannes this evening, Amber's fans took to social media to discuss the British star's fan amid Depp's attendance at the same event.
"Helen Mirren stands with Amber Heard because she’s #WorthIt #Cannes2023," one Twitter user declared as they shared a picture of Helen with her fan.
Another added: "Helen Mirren hit the #Cannes red carpet for the premiere of #JeanneDuBarry with a message of support for Amber Heard and a subtle f***-you to the film’s star, Johnny Depp – and she used fashion to do it. Bow down to your forever queen of shade."
A third tweeted a picture of Helen from this evening and added: "A Queen will always be a Queen #AmberIsWorthIt."
However, it seems Amber's fans have misinterpreted Dame Helen's fan.
Depp successfully sued his ex-wife Amber over a newspaper article titled: "I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change."
Although the op-ed did not directly name the actor, Depp's lawyers successfully argued in court that the article defamed him and impacted his career, thanks to the implied allegations he had abused his ex-wife throughout their marriage - something the actor has always strongly denied.
Following the verdict being delivered on June 1, Depp took to Instagram to share a statement in which he thanked his fans for their support and credited the jury for "giving me my life back".
A number of celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Jennifer Aniston, quickly liked Depp's celebratory post - with publisher Buzzfeed compiling a record of all the famous names amongst the now-almost 20million 'likes' on June 2.
Heard's statement - also posted on June 1 - is currently 'liked' by actress Selma Blair, Kate Nash, Game of Thrones star Lena Headey and almost 500,000 other Instagram users.
In the wake of unsealed court documents becoming accessible to the public in August, Twitter users noted a number of celebrities have since 'unliked' Depp's post shared on June 1.
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