Rebel Wilson’s film feud testimony kicks off third day
Hollywood star Rebel Wilson has opened up about the impending birth of her second child as she heads into the courthouse to testify for the third day of her blockbuster defamation fight.
The Pitch Perfect star has been sued for libel by Charlotte MacInnes, the 27-year-old co-star of musical comedy The Deb.
MacInnes claims he was defamed by Wilson in social media posts that suggested he was a liar who withdrew a sexual harassment complaint to further his acting and music career.
Wilson claims that the young actor said he felt uncomfortable when the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost asked to take a shower and bath together in September 2023, but later turned down the offer.
MacInnes denies making a complaint or backing down and maintains he never said he felt uncomfortable.
The young actor’s self-proclaimed confidant will continue to be questioned about his version of events when he returns to the witness box in the Federal Court on Thursday.
Asked about the upcoming birth of his second child as he entered the courthouse, Wilson said that luckily his wife had not yet given birth in the United States.
He may be asked about documents previously requested by MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, including communications that may relate to defamation websites attacking Ms Ghost.
Wilson has denied any role in commissioning or writing websites that describe the producer as “Native American Ghislaine Maxwell” and a sex trafficker.
He said his former US attorney hired The Agency Group to assist him in his legal dispute with his co-producers, but insisted the firm was not appointed to work for him.
The firm is also accused of creating defamatory websites attacking Hollywood actor Blake Lively on behalf of her co-star Justin Baldoni.
Earlier in the week, Wilson was asked to establish communication between himself and The Agency Group staff, including a text chain with managing director Melissa Nathan.
Ms Chrysanthou also requested receipts for payments made to the PR firm in order to establish who paid for Ms Nathan’s services.
An agreement filed in court shows Wilson’s now-parted US lawyer has retained The Agency Group for strategic communications services linked to the star.
“In exchange for the services, Rebel Wilson agrees to pay the Agency a total of $25,000 per month,” the unsigned agreement letter states.
When asked about the agreement dated July 2024, Wilson said that although the agreement was written to him, it was sent to his lawyer.
He rejected suggestions that Ms Chrysanthou was completely dishonest and had lied about the matter for a year.
Wilson also denied accusations that MacInnes aired her alleged complaint after it had been resolved in order to move on during a dispute with her co-producers.
Wilson’s barrister, Dauid Sibtain SC, claims MacInnes made the complaint and then, with the help of Ms Ghost, changed her story to ensure his career flourished.
He argued that, contrary to his claims, MacInnes’ career was progressing and there was no damage to his reputation due to his social media posts.
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