Rebel Wilson has won a defamation lawsuit brought by Charlotte MacInnes, an Australian actress who starred in Wilson’s directorial debut 2024, The Deb.
On Wednesday July 22, an Australian judge ruled in favor of Perfect pitch star, who was accused by MacInnes of spreading lies about her on social media after an alleged incident of sexual harassment.
The lawsuit stems from an incident in 2023 involving the film’s co-producer, Amanda Ghost. Wilson claimed MacInnes told him she felt “uncomfortable” after Ghost asked him to take a shower with her after the beach.
According to Wilson, MacInnes later withdrew his complaint in order to protect his career – something Wilson suggested in his social media posts. But MacInnes maintains she never filed or withdrew such a complaint and says Wilson’s posts damaged her reputation.
However, Justice Elizabeth Raper ruled Wednesday that MacInnes “failed to establish that the posts caused or were likely to cause serious harm,” ruling in favor of Wilson, according to CNN.
Throughout the trial, Wilson rejected claims that she made up the allegations or used them as leverage during disagreements over the film’s budget and writing credits.
Rebel Wilson celebrates defamation verdict
After the verdict, Wilson reflected on the adverse consequences of the conflict, describing The Deb because his “dream job” and saying that seeing his career become overshadowed by legal proceedings had been “incredibly difficult”.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me,” she wrote. “I am happy that this chapter is over and I look forward to getting back to what I love most, my family and my work. Thank you to the judge and the Australian justice system for whom I have the greatest respect.”
