Defamation Case Opens in Sydney Court
Claims made by Rebel Wilson that a young Australian actress was sexually harassed by a producer but concealed it to advance her career have been described as "malicious concoctions" during the first day of a defamation trial against the Hollywood star in Sydney.
In 2024 and 2025, Wilson posted on Instagram alleging that Charlotte MacInnes, who stars in Wilson's film The Deb, had felt "uncomfortable" after sharing a bath with one of its female producers.
The Pitch Perfect actress asserted that MacInnes had withdrawn a complaint— which MacInnes denies ever making— in exchange for a significant theatre role and a record deal.
MacInnes contends that these accusations have damaged her reputation for integrity and honesty, and she is seeking damages.
Legal representatives for MacInnes stated that she never complained to Wilson about the bath incident, and that Wilson later exploited the situation as "leverage" in a dispute with producers concerning the film's budget and contracts.
Evidence Presented: Texts and Emails
On the opening day of the trial, the court reviewed a series of private text messages between Wilson, the producer Amanda Ghost, and MacInnes, alongside detailed emails regarding the bath incident and the alleged sexual harassment.
The incident in question occurred on 5 September 2023, when MacInnes and Ghost went for a late afternoon swim at Bondi Beach.
Ghost experienced an allergic reaction to the water, known as cold urticaria, which caused red welts and uncontrollable shaking, the court was told.
Following this, the pair returned to Ghost's beachside apartment, where MacInnes ran a hot bath for Ghost, who had entered a shower to warm up.
Both women subsequently entered the bath—described by MacInnes' legal team as "oversized"—wearing their swimsuits.
They "were not even touching at all," Sue Chrysanthou SC told the court.
Ghost's assistant prepared hot drinks for them and remained in the bathroom for a short period.
Discrepancies in Accounts
The following day, Wilson spoke with MacInnes, who, according to Wilson, expressed feeling uncomfortable about the bath incident. Wilson then raised the matter with Ghost.
However, when Wilson discussed the issue with MacInnes again a few days later, the young actress reportedly stated this was not what she had said, according to Chrysanthou.
A text message sent by Wilson to Ghost, shown in court, read:
"Charlotte says all good. She just meant 'it was a bizarre situation' not that she personally felt uncomfortable."
That same evening, all parties attended a Boy George concert, the court heard.
Legal Arguments and Allegations
The allegations that MacInnes was sexually harassed by Ghost but then retracted her complaint to advance her career were described as "completely false, fantasy, malicious concoctions" by Chrysanthou.
Conversely, Wilson's lawyer Dauid Sibtain argued that MacInnes lied by denying she had complained to Wilson, "to ensure that her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ms Ghost."
Sibtain noted that since the film, MacInnes has appeared in a theatre production in the United States and released a single, with another expected imminently.
"She's suffered no harm to her reputation, indeed, her career has progressed,"he said.
He added,
"All of these wealth of prizes and opportunities that have materialised has come, we would suggest, because Ms MacInnes decided to tie herself to Ms Ghost's version."
Sibtain further stated,
"MacInnes lied by denying she had made a complaint to Ms Wilson, that a producer had asked her to have a bath and shower with her and it made her feel uncomfortable."
In one Instagram post from September 2024, Wilson wrote,
"The fact that this girl has been employed now by this 'producer' in the lead role of a production called GATSBY (ART Boston) and given a record label – should be all the proof you need as to why she has now changed her story."
Background on Charlotte MacInnes and The Deb
MacInnes, a graduate of a Western Australian acting academy in 2021, plays one of the two lead roles in The Deb, a musical comedy set in the Australian outback. She had previously starred in a theatre production of the play in 2022. The film was released in Australia earlier this month.
Additional Legal Proceedings Involving Rebel Wilson
Wilson, known also for her role in the successful film Bridesmaids, is currently involved in two other legal cases. One is in Australia, where the film's producers allege breaches of contract, and the other is in the United States, involving claims that Wilson defamed the producers, with Wilson filing a countersuit.
The Sydney trial that commenced on Monday is expected to last nine days.
