Rebel Wilson has won a long-running defamation battle after a court found the Hollywood star did not defame her co-star in a series of social media posts at the centre of a heated international dispute.
The Pitch Perfect actor had been sued by Australian performer Charlotte MacInnes, 28, who starred in the lead role of The Deb, Wilson’s first film as director.
MacInnes was not in court on Wednesday. Her legal team said there would be no formal statement, but confirmed an appeal was expected to be filed soon on her behalf.
The case centred on social media posts MacInnes alleged portrayed her as dishonest and career-driven, claiming they implied she had retracted a sexual harassment complaint to protect her professional prospects.
Wilson’s posts alleged the young actor had confided in her that she felt uncomfortable after the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost asked to share a shower and bath, before later taking back the claim.
MacInnes denied ever making or withdrawing such a complaint, maintaining she was not uncomfortable when she and Ms Ghost shared a bath while wearing swimwear following a medical episode involving Ms Ghost in September 2023.
Two months after the fiercely contested Federal Court proceedings ended, Justice Elizabeth Raper handed down her decision in Wilson’s favour.
“MacInnes has failed to establish that the publications have caused or were likely to cause serious harm,” Justice Raper said on Wednesday.
Rebel Wilson was sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the star of her directorial debut film The Deb
Pictured, Wilson’s barrister David Sibtain SC leaves court after the verdict
Charlotte MacInnes claimed Wilson defamed her in a series of social media posts that implied she was a liar and a sellout who walked back a sexual harassment complaint to further her career
Justice Raper said MacInnes must pay Wilson’s legal costs following the decision.
Wilson, who also did not appear for the judgement, published a heartfelt statement to social media.
‘I’m grateful the Court has taken the time to carefully consider the evidence and reach its decision,’ she said.
‘This has been a long process and throughout I have tried to stay grounded in my values and what I believed was right.
‘I’m thankful that process has now reached its conclusion.
‘Thank you to the Judge and the Australian legal system who I have the utmost respect for.’
Wilson said the legal disruption surrounding her directorial debut with The Deb has been ‘incredibly difficult’ but she is now focused on her family and future projects.
‘This process has taught me a lot. It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed,’ she said, adding that she is proud to continue making films.
Wilson repeatedly denied accusations she fabricated the complaint or raised it for leverage during disputes with her co-producers over the film’s budget and writing credit
The Deb co-producer Amanda Ghost shared a bath with Charlotte MacInnes after a medical episode
Pictured, Tim Smartt, the barrister assisting Sue Chrysanthou for Charlotte MacInnes, leaves the Federal Court of Australia on Wednesday
‘I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy.’
MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC accused Wilson of a ‘complete revision of history’ littered with dishonesty during her emphatic closing address in May.
‘She is a fantastical liar who has made up terrible, terrible allegations about multiple people and her own witnesses have discredited her,’ she said.
‘We say Ms Wilson cannot be believed on anything she has said.’
But Wilson repeatedly denied accusations she fabricated the complaint or raised it for leverage during disputes with her co-producers over the film’s budget and writing credit.
‘I am known as a truth-teller,’ she declared during the hearing.
That was what she had been doing when she posted the stories to her 11 million followers, the Bridesmaids star said.
‘I don’t classify it as an attack, I classify it as telling the truth,’ she told the court.
Her barrister David Sibtain SC said his client had ‘no motive to lie’ about something that would endanger her film by driving a wedge between her lead actor and a producer.
Instead, Mr Sibtain accused MacInnes of dishonestly withdrawing the complaint about Ms Ghost to ensure her relationship with the producer continued to be beneficial.
He argued MacInnes had received a lead role in a stage production and a six-figure record deal that were linked to Ms Ghost, and wanted to ensure she continued to advance her career.
‘Ms MacInnes is someone who gave false evidence under oath,’ he said.
‘(She) has suffered no harm, let alone serious harm.’
The young actor sought aggravated damages for the harm allegedly wrought by the posts, including anxiety, a period without work.
