Rebel Wilson Defamation Trial Opens with Explosive Allegations
Australian actor Rebel Wilson has appeared in the Federal Court of Sydney as a high-profile defamation trial commenced, with explosive accusations that she orchestrated a campaign to portray fellow actor Charlotte MacInnes as a "money grabbing opportunist" who withdrew a sexual harassment complaint for financial gain. The legal battle centers on four social media posts that MacInnes claims defamed her by suggesting she lied about the harassment allegation.
Disputed Conversation at Heart of the Case
A pivotal dispute in the trial revolves around a conversation between Wilson and MacInnes that occurred in September 2023 at a studio. According to Wilson's legal team, MacInnes expressed concerns about sexual harassment during this discussion. However, MacInnes's barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, told the court that her client never made any such allegations and explicitly informed Wilson that a previous incident involving producer Amanda Ghost had not made her uncomfortable.
The incident in question took place after MacInnes and Ghost swam together at Bondi beach. Ghost reportedly suffered from cold urticaria, a skin condition causing severe reactions, and MacInnes assisted her back to a nearby penthouse apartment. Chrysanthou described how the two women, both still in bathing suits, entered a large bath together while another woman brought them hot drinks. The court heard that Wilson spoke with them via speaker phone during this time.
Allegations of Leverage and Investigation
Chrysanthou alleged that Wilson only raised the sexual harassment issue later in 2023 when disputes emerged about budgets and contracts for their film The Deb. "We say this is a habit of hers whenever she doesn't get her way," Chrysanthou stated, claiming Wilson used the allegation as leverage for commercial benefit.
The court heard detailed allegations about Wilson's subsequent actions, including taking out defamation insurance to "go ballistic" online about Ghost and other producers. Chrysanthou presented evidence suggesting Wilson hired a US lawyer, engaged private investigators, and worked with a PR agency as part of her dispute with producers.
In a particularly dramatic revelation, Chrysanthou referenced a voicemail from PR agency worker Jed Wallace discussing the importance of portraying Ghost as someone who hired "hookers" for billionaire Len Blavatnik, owner of Warner Music. "It's gotta be really, really heavy and connected to something that heavy," Wallace said in the August 2024 message.
Social Media Posts and Damages Claim
The defamation case specifically addresses Instagram posts where Wilson claimed she had to report Ghost's conduct, blamed MacInnes for The Deb not being released, and presented herself as a "saviour of women" while allegedly bullying MacInnes. One May 2025 post showed MacInnes in what Wilson described as a "culturally inappropriate Indian outfit" on Blavatnik's yacht in Cannes.
While the exact damages amount hasn't been disclosed, Chrysanthou indicated MacInnes would seek aggravated damages above the $500,000 cap. Wilson's barrister, Dauid Sibtain SC, countered that his client doesn't believe all the alleged imputations are contained in the social media posts and will defend those that are by proving their truth.
Witness Testimony and Broader Context
The trial's first day featured testimony from Hannah Reilly, who wrote The Deb for the stage before its screen adaptation. The court heard about her dispute with Wilson over writing credits, which was resolved in Reilly's favor through arbitration. Chrysanthou suggested this conflict influenced Wilson's decision to raise the harassment issue.
Another witness, actor Katelin Koprivec, testified about visiting MacInnes after the bath incident. When shown a photo of the bathroom, she described it as containing a "big bath" but couldn't confirm it was the same one she had seen.
Sibtain emphasized that the case focuses on whether MacInnes complained to Wilson about harassment, not whether harassment actually occurred. He noted that MacInnes has since received "life changing opportunities" through her relationship with Ghost, including a lead role in a stage production of Gatsby and a recording contract.
The trial before Justice Elizabeth Raper continues with further evidence expected to shed light on the complex relationships and allegations surrounding the production of The Deb and the subsequent fallout that has now reached Australia's highest court.
