Johnny Depp would like you to know he really, really doesn't enjoy photo shoots. In fact, the closest thing he can compare it to is rape. Well, sure, who hasn't—totally, when a camera is pointed at you it's just like—uh, okay, wait ... he's saying that deliberately posing for a photograph is like suffering a violent sexual assault?

Apparently so. In the November issue of Vanity Fair, Depp said photo shoots make him feel dumb, and added, “Well, you just feel like you’re being raped somehow. Raped ... It feels like a kind of weird—just weird."

If you're thinking that this comment angered RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, you'd be darn tootin'.

RAINN was quite pissed off, in fact, and issued a public statement that reminded Depp that rape is a violent crime which affects an American every two minutes, and should not be compared to posing for a photo. The organization's spokesperson also "welcomed the opportunity to speak with Mr. Depp and educate him about the real life experiences faced by survivors every day, and ways that he can work with RAINN to help."

(Translation: "Nice choice of words, asshat. Now throw a fundraising benefit for us or you're going to look like a dick forever.)

You know, when celebrities get busted for saying something offensive, I often suspect their off the cuff statements reveal their true unpleasant personalities. In this case, however, I truly believe Depp was just floundering around looking for a way to describe the intrusive feeling of having his image packaged and sold to the public. He is, after all, the famously private man who once said, "I'm shy, paranoid, whatever word you want to use. I hate fame. I've done everything I can to avoid it"—I can see how being styled for a photo session is wildly uncomfortable for him.

Still, a better analogy might have been to say it makes him feel like a whore.

Celebrity apologies usually sound pretty insincere, but I think Depp's sounds heartfelt. I get the sense these words are coming from him, not a PR agent, and I believe he really is wishing he could take those words back:

I am truly sorry for offending anyone in any way. I never meant to. It was a poor choice of words on my part in an effort to explain a feeling. I understand there is no comparison and I am very regretful. In an effort to correct my lack of judgment, please accept my heartfelt apology.

Will RAINN accept his apology? Sooooooort of. They responded,

We hope to work with him to provide hope to victims of rape and make sure they get the help they deserve.

In other words, get ready for that fundraiser, Johnny.

Do you think Johnny Depp was out of line with the rape comment? Do you think his apology is good enough?



Image via Flickr/nicogenin