Rebel Wilson has won a defamation case brought against her by Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes, who starred in Wilson's directorial debut film "The Deb." MacInnes sued Wilson over a series of social media posts that she claimed implied she was a liar and had retracted a sexual harassment complaint for career advancement.
Justice Elizabeth Raper of the Federal Court found in favor of Wilson on Wednesday, stating that MacInnes had failed to prove the social media posts caused or were likely to cause serious harm. As a result, MacInnes will be required to pay Wilson's legal costs.
MacInnes alleged that Wilson's posts implied she had lied about feeling uncomfortable when the film's co-producer, Amanda Ghost, suggested they share a bath in September 2023. MacInnes denied making or retracting any complaint, asserting she had not been uncomfortable during the incident, which occurred after Ms. Ghost experienced a medical episode. MacInnes, 28, did not attend court for the judgment and her legal team confirmed that an appeal would likely be lodged on her behalf.
Wilson, who was also not present for the verdict, released a statement expressing gratitude for the court's consideration of the evidence. "This has been a long process and throughout I have tried to stay grounded in my values and what I believed was right," Wilson said. "I'm thankful that process has now reached its conclusion."
She described the legal dispute surrounding "The Deb" as "incredibly difficult" but stated her focus is now on her family and future projects. "I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy," Wilson added.
During the hearing, MacInnes's barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC accused Wilson of dishonesty and a "complete revision of history." Wilson, however, repeatedly denied fabricating the complaint or raising it for leverage during disputes over the film's budget and writing credits. She told the court that her posts were an act of "telling the truth."
Wilson's barrister, David Sibtain SC, argued that MacInnes had a motive to lie, suggesting she dishonestly withdrew her complaint about Ms. Ghost to maintain a beneficial relationship that could advance her career, pointing to a lead role in a stage production and a record deal reportedly linked to Ms. Ghost. Mr. Sibtain contended that MacInnes gave false evidence under oath and suffered no harm.
MacInnes had sought aggravated damages for alleged anxiety and a period of unemployment stemming from Wilson's social media posts. Rebel Wilson, known for films like "Pitch Perfect" and "Bridesmaids," had denied the accusations, with her legal team asserting she had "no motive to lie" about an issue that could jeopardize her film.