Rebel Wilson Denies Mistreatment Allegations in Defamation Case
Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson has denied mistreating the lead actress of her directorial debut in a defamation trial, asserting she is a champion of women. The Pitch Perfect star is defending herself against claims brought by Charlotte MacInnes, the Australian lead actor of the musical comedy The Deb.
MacInnes alleges that Wilson’s social media posts defamed her by suggesting she was dishonest and retracted a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career. Wilson, however, maintains that MacInnes confided in her about feeling uncomfortable after sharing a bath in swimwear with The Deb co-producer Amanda Ghost following a medical episode in September 2023.
MacInnes denies making any such complaint and says she told Wilson the situation was unusual but that she did not feel personally uncomfortable.
Wilson’s Testimony and Self-Description
Wilson appeared in the Federal Court witness box on Tuesday, where she was questioned about a public statement in which she portrayed herself as a champion of women.
“Do you still say you regard yourself as a champion of women?” MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC asked.
“If you look over my 25-year career, you can see many evidences (sic) of me supporting women.”
Wilson denied mistreating MacInnes, Ghost, or co-writer Hannah Reilly during their work on the film, describing accusations of private and public bullying as “absolute nonsense.”
Wilson also stated in an affidavit that she overheard intimate conversations, often of a sexual nature, between the producer and MacInnes, which MacInnes has refuted as untrue.
Wilson further rejected MacInnes’ account of being pressured by Ghost to go out for a drink until she relented.
Wilson’s lawyer, Dauid Sibtain SC, argued that Wilson raised her concerns with others despite having doubts about the alleged complaint’s truthfulness.
Allegations and Legal Arguments
MacInnes’ legal team contends that Wilson falsely portrayed herself as a whistleblower who spoke up to protect MacInnes, when in fact she used the alleged complaint as leverage in a dispute with her co-producers.
“I was angry that Rebel claims to be someone who stands up for women … but then was so maliciously and unfairly persisting with a narrative that painted me as a liar, prostitute, sell out, and whore,” MacInnes wrote in her affidavit.
Rather than checking on the alleged victim of inappropriate behavior, Chrysanthou said Wilson shared posts disparaging her client.
“This is how this bully, apparently this saviour of women, the protector of the harassed, responds,” she previously told the court.
Sibtain emphasized that the central issue is whether MacInnes complained to Wilson and then changed her story.
“Our case is that ... she changed her story,” Sibtain said in his opening address.
“She did so to ensure her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ms Ghost.”
Sibtain also argued that MacInnes’ reputation has not been harmed by Wilson’s social media posts, contrary to MacInnes’ claims.
Additional Claims and Expected Court Proceedings
Wilson is likely to face questioning regarding MacInnes’ claim that Wilson played a role in a hack of her social media account, which led to a nude photo being leaked.
Wilson is also expected to be questioned about whether she was involved in creating malicious websites attacking Amanda Ghost that referenced the alleged complaint.
Wilson has been accused of directing a crisis PR team to create these websites but denies any involvement.
Amanda Ghost arrives at the federal court in Sydney on Tuesday morning. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP
