An Australian court has cleared actor Rebel Wilson of defaming Charlotte MacInnes, an actor in Wilson's directorial debut, "The Deb." The ruling dismissed claims made in social media posts authored by Wilson between September 2024 and July 2025.
MacInnes alleged that Wilson's posts falsely suggested she had withdrawn a sexual harassment complaint against one of the film's producers to further her career. MacInnes denied ever making such a complaint. However, Justice Elizabeth Raper of the Federal Court of Australia ruled Wednesday that Wilson's posts were not defamatory.
The dispute originated from an incident in September 2023. According to Wilson's previous statements on Instagram, MacInnes and the producer swam at Sydney's Bondi Beach and later shared a bath at their accommodation. Wilson stated that MacInnes had told her the producer had asked her to bathe and shower with her, causing discomfort, but that MacInnes later retracted the complaint.
Justice Raper found that MacInnes failed to prove Wilson's posts caused serious harm to her reputation or that Wilson breached her confidence. The court dismissed the case and ordered MacInnes to cover the costs, as detailed in a written judgment provided by the court.
Wilson, known for her roles in "Pitch Perfect" and "Bridesmaids," expressed gratitude for the ruling, calling it a "substantial win" and stating her eagerness to move forward. Representatives for MacInnes did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"The Deb," a musical comedy centered on two teenage girls preparing for a debutante ball in a rural town, is slated for a U.S. digital release on August 25.