Spotlight on producer at heart of Rebel’s film fight
A producer at the center of a sexual harassment allegation will testify in Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson’s blockbuster libel challenge.
Amanda Ghost is co-producing the recently released musical comedy film The Deb. This film is set in rural NSW and stars Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes.
MacInnes is suing Wilson, the film’s director and co-producer, over social media posts alleging the young actor filed a sexual harassment complaint and then withdrew it to further his career.
The alleged account focuses on the aftermath of a medical episode Ms Ghost suffered after swimming in cold water at Bondi Beach in September 2023.
MacInnes helped her back to the apartment they shared with others during pre-production on The Deb, and the producer took a shower to warm up.
The young actor said he entered the bathroom, both in their swimsuits, before being approached by Miss Ghost following a suggestion that a bath would warm him up more effectively.
Wilson claims the star of his film said he felt uncomfortable after Miss Ghost asked them to shower and wash up together, but MacInnes denies making a complaint.
Ms Ghost will give evidence about the incident and what happened in the Federal Court on Friday.
After being informed of the alleged complaint, the producer told a friend that he was so angry at MacInnes that he could not look at him, the court was previously told.
When he testified on Thursday, MacInnes recalled being confused and deeply upset by Ms Ghost keeping her distance.
After learning the reason for her cold demeanor, the actor said it was important for Ms. Ghost to know that she never filed a complaint.
“I believe it would have been very damaging to our relationship if Amanda had believed that I had made an inappropriate complaint against her,” he said.
MacInnes said he supported her as she worked hard to secure a leading role in a stage production of Miss Ghost and a record deal, and was concerned about the possible impact on her career.
He claims his reputation has been severely damaged by suggestions that he is unreliable in social media posts and that The Deb has prioritized his career over his 300 cast and crew.
His barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, previously said: “This is a malicious allegation against my client that he sold the sexual harassment allegation for his own professional and business interests.”
However, Wilson denies that the posts are slanderous and says that the young actor’s career has not been negatively affected by these posts.
Wilson’s lawyer, Dauid Sibtain SC, said the real issue was not whether MacInnes had been sexually harassed, but whether she had made a complaint and then withdrawn it.
“Our case is… he changed his story,” he said in his opening statement.
“He did this to ensure that his career as an actor and musician would progress by pleasing Miss Ghost.”
Wilson will testify on Tuesday.
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