SerpApi.Org
Rebel Wilson (46) can breathe a sigh of relief. A federal court in Sydney dismissed a lawsuit for defamatory statements on Wednesday that Charlotte MacInnes (28) had filed against the Australian actress and director. Judge Elizabeth Raper concluded that the statement disseminated by Wilson was not defamatory. Furthermore, MacInnes was unable to prove serious damage to her reputation. This was reported by Australian broadcaster ABC News and British broadcaster BBC, among others.
MacInnes plays the lead role in Wilson's film "The Deb". She had sued the actress, known from "Pitch Perfect" and "Bridesmaids", over several social media posts. In the posts, Wilson claimed that MacInnes had initially complained about an incident but later changed or softened her account for career reasons. MacInnes denied ever making such a complaint.
An incident at the center
While Raper found that one of the posts from 2024 conveyed an insinuation about MacInnes, it was not defamatory. The mere claim that someone changed their account of events is not damaging to reputation, the judge said according to ABC News. There could be countless reasons for such behavior. MacInnes must now bear the costs of the proceedings. Her lawyer announced plans to appeal the verdict.
At the heart of the matter is an incident at Bondi Beach in 2023. Amanda Ghost (52), producer and financier of the film, allegedly suffered a severe skin reaction after bathing in the cold ocean. To warm up, both women got into a bathtub together, as MacInnes described in court. Both were wearing swimwear.
According to Wilson, MacInnes complained at work the next day that the incident had made her feel uncomfortable. MacInnes, however, insists she never made a complaint. Wilson explained in the trial that for a cheerful film about female empowerment, the worst thing that could have happened to her was a complaint against a producer.
Considerable doubts about the truthfulness of statements
Judge Raper concluded that MacInnes had indeed complained about the incident in the tub. In her view, MacInnes later changed her account because she feared losing control of the situation. While she noted Wilson's tendency to exaggerate events, the contemporaneous documentation suggested that a complaint had actually been made.
The judge had strong words for all parties involved. She had considerable doubts about the truthfulness of the statements by MacInnes, Ghost, and Wilson, Raper stated, describing the three women as unreliable witnesses. A website allegedly created by a U.S. agency for Wilson that disparaged Ghost as an "Indian Ghislaine Maxwell" was also discussed. Wilson denied commissioning such a smear campaign.
Wilson celebrates success on Instagram
Shortly after the verdict was announced, Wilson spoke out on Instagram. The trial had taught her a lot and tested her. "But it also reinforced something I've always believed in. I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create works that bring people joy", Wilson wrote. She thanked the judge and the Australian legal system and said she was now looking forward after this closed chapter.
"The Deb" was released in Australian cinemas in April after lengthy delays and several legal disputes. The trial itself ended in May.
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