Rising star suspected of ‘fudging’ complaint to Rebel
A producer who thought a rising star had “fabricated” her story and dismissed a sexual harassment complaint against Rebel Wilson will be in the spotlight in the final hours of a heated court battle.
Wilson is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the 27-year-old co-star of the musical comedy The Deb.
The rising star alleges that she was slandered by Wilson in social media posts that suggested she was a liar and a sellout who withdrew her sexual harassment complaint to advance her career.
In the posts, it was claimed that MacInnes told Wilson that he was uncomfortable when Amanda Ghost, the film’s co-producer, wanted to take a shower and bath together, but later retracted her words.
The claim is based on a medical incident Ms Ghost suffered at Bondi Beach on September 5, 2023, which led to her taking a bath with MacInnes in their swimsuits to warm up.
The young actor claimed that he did not think it was inappropriate and did not file or withdraw any complaints.
Wilson proved shocked by the revelation and informed The Deb’s local producer, Greer Simpkin, whom she described as very responsible.
A local producer is set to reveal his memories of events in the Federal Court on Friday, on the final day of the blockbuster libel battle between the film’s director and star.
The court was previously told Ms Simpkin had planned to have MacInnes evicted from the flat where he was staying with Ms Ghost and others during pre-production.
The local producer confirmed to Ms Ghost that MacInnes was asked to leave the flat days after the complaint was made by Wilson.
“I asked why this was when we were discussing Rebel needing a beachfront space,” Ms. Simpkin texted.
But when MacInnes learned that Wilson’s alleged complaint was the real reason for his release, his representative reached out to Ms. Simpkin to “correct this misunderstanding.”
He told MacInnes’ version of events and explained that he was never upset with Miss Ghost, whom he respected and idolized.
In the email submitted to the court, the representative said MacInnes was very disturbed by the change in the producer’s behavior and wanted to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Ms. Simpkin forwarded the email to Ms. Ghost and noted that the young actor’s perspective on events was different from that of the producer and a witness.
“Charlotte retracts her statement to Rebel,” he wrote.
“I have a feeling Charlotte is making a fabrication.”
The local producer is expected to be questioned about what and when he was told about the bathhouse incident and how the events developed afterwards.
The high-profile smear war between Wilson and MacInnes will end on Friday after nine days of heated evidence in which both actors denied accusations of lying.
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