Johnny Depp Bit Artificial Foliage at Las Vegas Festival
The actor was captured on camera pulling leaves from a hedge while posing for photographers at the Park MGM event.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Food and Drink
Johnny Depp participated in a bizarre photo opportunity at the DRINK Las Vegas festival, where he was seen biting leaves and a stem off an artificial hedge. The incident occurred at Park MGM, drawing attention from event attendees.
Why it matters
Public appearances by high-profile stars often generate significant social media attention, particularly when behavior deviates from traditional event expectations. This moment adds another chapter to the ongoing public documentation of Depp's eccentric professional and personal life.
Depp has a documented history of high-value settlements and expenses, including $30,000 in monthly wine spending acknowledged in 2017 and a $10,000 payout for a 1994 hotel incident.
The players
Johnny Depp
He is a high-profile actor known for his roles in various blockbuster films and his involvement in several high-publicity legal battles.
Shaquille O'Neal
He is a retired NBA legend and prominent media personality who attended the festival opening ceremony.
Sammy Hagar
He is a famed rock musician and business entrepreneur who appeared at the festival opening ceremony.
Amber Heard
She is an actress who was previously married to Depp for 15 months and was later involved in a high-profile defamation trial.
Alice Cooper
He is a legendary rock musician who has performed with Depp in the band Hollywood Vampires.
The details
While attending the food and beverage festival, Depp engaged with a decorative artificial hedge by pulling greenery into his mouth with his teeth. The actor posed for photographers with the foliage held between his lips during the event at Park MGM.
Timeline
In 1994, Depp paid nearly $10,000 in damages following a hotel room incident in New York.
In 2017, Depp acknowledged spending $30,000 a month on wine during a legal dispute.
In June 2025, Depp was seen consuming Aperol, wine, and rum during a Times of London interview.
Industry Dynamics
This viral moment follows the scrutiny generated by the 2022 defamation trial between Depp and Heard. It highlights how celebrity behavior continues to be heavily parsed by audiences and media in the post-trial era of the actor's career.
Fans and festival-goers can follow official social media channels for Park MGM and the festival organizers to view event recaps. While the incident was purely performative, it illustrates the high-visibility nature of major Las Vegas hospitality events.
The takeaway
Celebrity appearances at large-scale industry festivals are highly curated, yet spontaneous moments can often overshadow the primary purpose of the event. Attendees should anticipate that star-studded gatherings in Las Vegas remain prime opportunities for unpredictable viral content.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in local events, visit the Food and Drink section.
