Rebel Wilson Described as 'Nuts' by Crisis PR Team in Defamation Hearing
Rebel Wilson was labelled "f*****g nuts" by the crisis public relations team she allegedly hired to smear Amanda Ghost, the producer of her directorial debut The Deb, a court in Sydney heard on Monday. The Australian actor is facing defamation proceedings initiated by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor in The Deb, over Wilson's social media posts that claimed MacInnes made a sexual harassment complaint against Ghost.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
MacInnes asserts that Wilson falsely suggested in Instagram posts that she had privately confided in her about being sexually harassed by one of the film's producers. Court filings allege that Wilson, known for roles in Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, failed to seek verification from MacInnes and made these claims despite knowing no formal complaint had been lodged. The posts on Wilson's Instagram account, which boasts over 11 million followers, allegedly implied that MacInnes had lied when she denied discussing harassment or inappropriate behaviour by producers on The Deb.
While Wilson has denied the allegations, her legal defence has not been publicly disclosed. MacInnes, who was present in court for the hearing, is seeking aggravated damages and a court order to prevent Wilson from repeating the claims online or elsewhere. Her barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, stated, "This is a malignant allegation against my client that she sold the allegation of sexual harassment in exchange for her own professional and commercial benefit."
Further Accusations and Broader Legal Issues
Wilson is accused of instructing The Agency Group to publish websites that attacked Ghost and alleged she was involved in sex trafficking. Texts between the agency's staff referred to Wilson as "f***ing nuts," the court was told on Tuesday. In addition to this case, separate lawsuits have been filed against Wilson by The Deb producers in a U.S. court and a court in New South Wales, Australia.
Wilson also alleged in July 2024 posts that executive producer Vince Holden, along with producers Ghost and Gregor Cameron, attempted to block the film's premiere in retaliation for her raising concerns about the alleged misconduct. The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024, faced delays in its Australian theatrical release earlier this month due to these ongoing legal disputes.
Wilson's Response and Case Duration
Outside the court, Wilson expressed her affection for the film, telling reporters, "I love The Deb, I mean, it's so cute and amazing. Thank you to everyone who's going to the cinemas." The defamation hearing is expected to last for nine days, with additional reporting contributed by Reuters.
