Rihanna has been heavily criticised for giving Johnny Depp a platform at her Fenty fashion show

Rihanna’s decision to feature Johnny Depp in her upcoming Fenty fashion show has caused mass division on social media.

Variety confirmed the Pirates of the Caribbean star will be the first male celebrity to be featured in the singer-turned-fashion and beauty guru's catwalk.

However, the big move from the Barbados singer has been met with ire from some people online.

Despite Amber Heard having left Twitter soon after Elon Musk became the social media platform's head honcho, her name was trending online as people slammed Rihanna for her choice in male talent.

One user said: "If she’s not dumping pig’s blood all over his head, I don’t know why she could possibly think this is a good idea. Very disgusting and embarrassing for her."

Another added: "Tell me again about how sexual assault allegations ruin mens lives?"

A third lashed out at Rihanna, commenting: "Is this the man you want representing your brand? Somebody who calls women ‘c*m-guzzlers’, promises ‘global humiliation’ against [his ex wife Amber Heard], and [who] actively attempted to ruin a woman's career?"

Others asked what Depp would even do on a lingerie catwalk, with one social media user comparing the 59-year-old actor to a 'piece of leather left out to dry'.

Brutal.

Rihanna's decision comes months after Depp won his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife.

Depp sued his ex-wife for $50 million (£38.2 million) in a defamation lawsuit after she made domestic violence claims in a 2018 article in The Washington Post, and she issued a counterclaim for $100m (£76.4m).

The article did not mention Depp by name, yet his lawyers argued it falsely implied he physically and sexually abused the Aquaman actor while they were together.

What followed was a lengthy trial that saw Heard abused for her statements against her ex-husband as the court of public opinion ruled in favour of Depp.

Depp won the court case and has been presented with many opportunities since. Heard, on the other hand, has largely retreated from the public ever since.

The jury found that what Heard wrote in her op-ed piece was defamatory, and awarded Depp $15 million in damages.

Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages as the jury found that in her countersuit, she did not prove all elements of defamation.

Heard was in the courtroom when the verdict was read out, however Depp was said to be watching from the UK, having flown over to perform at concerts with Jeff Beck in Sheffield and London.

Johnny Depp isn't the only famous name to be included in Rihanna's Fenty show.

He will be joined by actor Winston Duke of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and more.

There will also be performances at the event from Burna Boy and Anitta, Variety reports.

Depp will be following in the footsteps of other celebrities who have modelled for the brand including Cindy Crawford, who appeared in the 2021 Savage X Fenty showcase.

UNILAD has reached to Fenty for comment.