The curtain is falling on a whirlwind courtroom drama involving Hollywood’s Rebel Wilson and the lead actress from her directorial debut. After a two-week legal spar, the stage is nearly set for a resolution.
In the beginning, Wilson and actress Charlotte MacInnes shared a mutual admiration as they collaborated on the musical comedy “The Deb.” Wilson not only directed and co-produced the film but also acted in it, marking a significant milestone in her career.
However, three years have passed, and the camaraderie has shifted to contention. The “Pitch Perfect” star now finds herself on the opposite side of a defamation lawsuit in the Federal Court against MacInnes.
In a sworn statement, Wilson lamented, “Unfortunately, what started as a dream has turned out to be a nightmare.”
MacInnes mirrors this sentiment, accusing Wilson of defaming her through social media posts. These posts allegedly painted her as dishonest and opportunistic, suggesting she recanted a sexual misconduct allegation to advance her career.
The controversy revolves around claims that MacInnes initially confided in Wilson about feeling uncomfortable with the film’s co-producer, Amanda Ghost, who allegedly made an inappropriate request. The social media posts in question suggest MacInnes later withdrew her complaint, creating a public dispute between the two talents.
MacInnes has denied making or retracting a complaint, insisting she was not uncomfortable when the pair shared a bath in their swimwear after Ghost suffered a medical episode in September 2023.
The legal fight is set to conclude today with closing remarks from both sides.
Accusations of dishonesty were flung from both corners when the hearing began two weeks ago.
“(This is) a malignant allegation against my client that she sold the allegation of sexual harassment in exchange for her own professional and commercial benefit,” MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC said.
She argued Wilson had been embroiled in an increasingly tense dispute with her co-producers about the budget as well as a bitter fight over writing credit at the time.
The Hollywood actor took out defamation insurance the day after finding out she wouldn’t be credited as a writer on The Deb so she could “go ballistic on social media”, Chrysanthou said.
“Ms Wilson was not a whistleblower who was seeking to protect a young actress,” she asserted.
“She raises, we say, this non-existent allegation that had been put to bed for her own commercial benefit.”
Wilson’s barrister Dauid Sibtain SC dismissed the suggestion as “preposterous”.
He argued MacInnes dishonestly changed her story in exchange for future opportunities, which have since materialised as a lead role and a six-figure record deal.
“She changed her story … to ensure her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ms Ghost,” Sibtain told the court.
“Ms MacInnes knew that Ms Ghost was the person who had the power to make her acting and music dreams come true.”
He argued the young actor had not suffered any damage to her reputation or experienced any slowing of her career after the social media posts, contrary to her allegations.
Justice Elizabeth Raper is expected to reserve her decision after closing addresses conclude today.
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