REBEL WILSON WINS DEFAMATION TRIAL
* Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson has emerged successful from a defamation lawsuit brought by her co-star in the Federal Court.
* Actor and singer Charlotte MacInnes, who brought the legal action, was the lead actor in Wilson's directorial debut and musical comedy The Deb.
* The judge found the four social media posts were not defamatory.
WHAT HAPPENED?
* Wilson posted a series of Instagram stories in 2024 and 2025 which claimed MacInnes had made a complaint to her and then walked it back.
* The post claimed the young actor confided in her that co-producer Amanda Ghost had asked her to have a bath and shower together when they were sharing an apartment, and it made her feel uncomfortable.
* MacInnes denied making the complaint and claimed she never said the words attributed to her.
* MacInnes sued Wilson, arguing she had been defamed by the posts.
HOW DID WILSON RESPOND?
* Wilson claimed she told the truth in her posts and that MacInnes had changed her story.
* She labelled the lawsuit "baseless".
COMMENTS IN COURT
“If you look across my 25-year career you can see many evidences (sic) of me supporting women, promoting women" - Wilson after MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou asked if she considered herself a champion of women.
"I was angry Rebel claims to be someone who stands up for women ... but then was so maliciously and unfairly persisting with a narrative that painted me as a liar, prostitute, sell out, and whore" - MacInnes in her affidavit.
WILSON'S VICTORY POST ON INSTAGRAM
* Wilson posted on Instagram minutes after the judgment was made.
“This process has taught me a lot. It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed ... I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy."
