Spur Magazine
June 2001
by Yuki Sato
(at Standard Hotel, Sunset Blvd. in L.A.)
(translation by Kemia)

"Sorry, I don't speak Japanese..." Johnny Depp's first words were something unexpected. I met him at a group interview with Japanese journalists who came to report Dead Man at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. As it was unusual for Johnny to speak through an interpreter, that interview would be troublesome (to him). But he told us that very solemnly. At this very instant, I swore that I would talk to him most frankly, without playing any tricks or games.* Actually flushing apple-like, my cheeks had already revealed my affections for Johnny pretty honestly, though. Maybe because of it, after the interview we had some exceptional time for taking pictures. Even a middle-aged male journalist from a Japanese newspaper, who was usually too serious, happily took a picture with Johnny... Then I gave a small gift to Johnny and he returned me with a kiss.... His publicist was looking at this and said amazingly, "Johnny rarely does it!" (Later I heard that's because once a fanatic tried to bite into his cheek. Scary!). This time Johnny made a promise to visit Japan (then he kept it), and gave me his telephone number as he said, "Call me when you need to." Though I save it as a trump card and of course seldom use it, occasionally when I had some press opportunity for his new films, I called him and left messages that I would be very glad to meet him soon. Then Johnny would make time for an exclusive interview even if he had to give up some break time. I really appreciate it.

I was in L.A. the other day to take a press junket for his new movie Blow. Again Johnny made the time for me, though he still suffered from jet lag caused by a flight from France where he lives with Vanessa Paradis and their loving daughter Lily-Rose. Johnny said, "Lily-Rose has built up personality more and more distinctly. I was really surprised when I found something in her to be very similar to mine. (laugh)" She must be so cute, because she is Johnny's daughter! And he said about Vanessa, too: "She is such a lovely woman at home, and she toughs it out when she works." It's delightful to hear his admiration for Vanessa.

"Well, just rambling though, recently I read these fascinating books: one was written by Desmond Morris and another was about American history written by Howard Zinn. The latter is really awesome, because it contains true stories that weren't taught at school in America when I was a kid. You know, people tend to tell only things convenient to them... And I was moved by Oscar Wilde's diary in prison, and the collection of letters.... I think I've learned a lot about life from them...."

What amazes me most is Johnny's utter openness to people whom he meets in his life, to their influence or inspiration. Therefore he has been unpredictable, even to fans. How does he surprise us next? I'm always curious about it.

*The writer was amazed at Johnny's sensitivity, his care about non-English speaking people. (Kemia)

END OF ARTICLE

Click on these links to see a photo of Johnny and Yuki as well as a note from Johnny to Yuki.

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