The outcome of a defamation case brought by Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes against Rebel Wilson is expected Wednesday afternoon. MacInnes, who starred in Wilson's directorial debut film "The Deb," is suing the "Pitch Perfect" star over social media posts that she alleges falsely portrayed her as a liar and a sellout.
The posts, according to MacInnes, implied she had recanted a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career. MacInnes claims the posts suggested she told Wilson that a co-producer, Amanda Ghost, had asked to shower with her, and that MacInnes later withdrew the complaint. MacInnes denies making or retracting such a complaint, stating she was not uncomfortable when she and Ghost shared a bath in swimwear after Ghost experienced a medical episode in September 2023.
During the weeks-long trial in the NSW Federal Court, both actors were accused of dishonesty. MacInnes' barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, argued in her closing statement that Wilson had presented a "complete revision of history" and called her a "fantastical liar." Chrysanthou suggested Wilson lied to Ghost about receiving a complaint in an effort to create discord between Ghost and MacInnes and to portray MacInnes as a troublemaker.
Conversely, Wilson's barrister, Dauid Sibtain SC, argued that Wilson had no motive to lie and that the suggested motive was "very weak." Sibtain contended that MacInnes dishonestly withdrew her complaint about Ghost to maintain a beneficial relationship with the producer, which he linked to MacInnes securing a lead role in a stage production and a six-figure record deal. Sibtain asserted that MacInnes gave false evidence under oath and had suffered no harm, let alone serious harm.
MacInnes is seeking aggravated damages for harm she claims resulted from the posts, including a prolonged period without work. Justice Elizabeth Raper will now deliver the verdict on the conflicting accounts.