Johnny Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez has dispelled romance rumours, labelling them ‘sexist’

Having represented Johnny Depp for over four years, Camille Vasquez provided legal counsel for the Pirates of the Caribbean actor throughout the duration of the six-week defamation trial against his ex wife, Amber Heard.

The legal proceedings were following closely, with many tuning in to live broadcasts and even more people consuming fan edits and spliced snippets on social media. While everyone drew their own conclusions on Depp and Heard, it was Ms Vasquez that became the internet’s latest obsession.

From TikTok videos set against romantic ballads to Instagram posts zeroing in on any semblance of affection shared between Depp and Vasquez, the internet was quick to assume the the actor was far more to her than just a client.

Though Camille Vasquez had laughed off intrusive questions as to whether there was a romantic spark between the two during the course of the trial, the attorney has spoken out and finally renounced such rumours for once and for all.

“I guess it comes with the territory of being a woman just doing her job,” she said in a recent interview with PEOPLE. “It’s disappointing that certain outlets kind of ran with it or said that my interactions with Johnny — who is a friend and I’ve known and represented for four-and-a-half years now — were in any way inappropriate or unprofessional. That’s disappointing to hear.”

“It’s also an unethical charge being made. It’s sexist.”

Emphasising just how inappropriate and unprofessional it would be for a lawyer to date their client, Vasquez spoke about the misconception at length. “I care very deeply about my clients, and we have obviously become close,” she said.

“But when I say we, I mean the entire team, and of course that includes Johnny … I’m Cuban and Colombian. I’m tactile. What do you want me to say? I hug everyone, and I’m not ashamed about that.”

Camille Vasquez also revealed that she has a boyfriend, and is “very happy in [her] relationship.” We can only imagine how tiresome it must be to have to address school yard-esque relationship rumours after winning a long-fought and incredibly high profile legal battle.

Speaking on her rapid ascent to public notoriety over the past couple of months, Vasquez says, “It’s funny, but also, it’s surreal.”

“It’s overwhelming, but I really believe that to the extent that I could inspire young women to stay in school, work hard and maybe pursue a career in law, then it was all worth it because that’s what’s important at the end of the day.”