Rebel Wilson wins defamation case brought by co-star after bitter dispute | Australia news
Following a bitter dispute that spanned continents and years, it has been revealed that Hollywood star Rebel Wilson did not slander her co-star in a series of social media posts.
The Pitch Perfect star was sued by Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes, who starred in Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb.
MacInnes claimed Wilson slandered him in a series of social media posts, implying that he was a liar and a sellout who dropped a sexual harassment complaint to advance his career.
In the posts, it was claimed that the young actor admitted to Wilson that he felt uncomfortable when the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost wanted to take a shower and bath together, and later took back this statement.
MacInnes denied complaining or recanting, saying he was not uncomfortable bathing in the couple’s swimsuits after Ghost suffered a medical episode in September 2023.
Two months after the hotly contested court battle ended in federal court, Judge Elizabeth Raper ruled in Wilson’s favor.
“MacInnes failed to establish that the publications caused or were likely to cause serious harm,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
In her emphatic closing speech in May, MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC accused Wilson of a “complete overhaul of history” riddled with dishonesty.
“He is a fantastic liar who has made horrific allegations about multiple people and whose own witnesses have discredited him,” he said.
“We say nothing Ms. Wilson says can be believed.”
But Wilson has repeatedly denied accusations that he fabricated the complaint or used it for leverage during disagreements with his co-producers over the film’s budget and writing credit.
“I’m known as someone who tells the truth,” he said during the hearing.
The Bridesmaids star said that’s what she does as she posts the stories to her 11 million followers. “I don’t classify this as an attack, I classify it as telling the truth,” he told the court.
His lawyer, Dauid Sibtain SC, said his client “had no reason to lie” about something that would jeopardize his film by driving a wedge between the lead actor and the producer.
Instead, he accused MacInnes of dishonestly withdrawing his complaint about Ghost to ensure his relationship with the producer continued to be productive.
He argued that MacInnes had gotten a starring role in a stage production and a six-figure record deal in conjunction with Ghost and wanted to ensure it continued to rise.
“MacInnes is someone who gave false testimony under oath,” he said.
“[She] “He suffered no harm, let alone serious harm.”
The young actor sought hefty compensation for the damage his posts allegedly caused, including a period of unemployment and anxiety.
