Rebel Wilson wins defamation war after co-star's lawsuit thrown out

After a blistering dispute that spanned continents and years, Hollywood A-lister Rebel Wilson has been found not to have defamed her co-star in a series of social media posts.

The Pitch Perfect star was sued by Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes, 28, who played the lead role in Wilson's directorial debut film The Deb.

Lawyers for MacInnes, who did not attend court on Wednesday, said they have no formal statement, but confirmed an appeal would likely be lodged shortly on behalf of their client.

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.

Court rules in Wilson's favor 

The posts alleged the young actor confided in Wilson - and later recanted - that she felt uncomfortable when the film's co-producer Amanda Ghost asked to have a shower and a bath together.

MacInnes denied making or retracting a complaint, insisting she had not been uncomfortable when the pair shared a bath in their swimwear after Ms Ghost suffered a medical episode in September 2023.

Two months after the conclusion of the hotly contested court fight in the Federal Court, Justice Elizabeth Raper found in favour of Wilson.

'MacInnes has failed to establish that the publications have caused or were likely to cause serious harm,' she said on Wednesday.

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. 

Lawyer slams Wilson as liar 

'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.

'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.'

Wilson defends truth of posts 

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.

Defense claims accuser gave false evidence 

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.

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