Rebel Wilson has been called to give evidence in a defamation case against her by the lead actor in her directorial debut, The Deb. Charlotte MacInnes launched civil proceedings after Wilson accused her of complaining about unwanted sexual advances by the film's senior producer Amanda Ghost following a sunset swim at Bondi Beach.
Wilson has also accused MacInnes of lying about making the complaint because she was then offered a record deal in one of Ghost's other productions. MacInnes denies the sexual harassment occurred. She also denies making a complaint and lying about making a complaint in return for a contract.
Court Proceedings Begin
Rebel Wilson smiled as she walked into the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday. She will be cross-examined for two days by Charlotte MacInnes' barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC. Wilson is represented by Dauid Sibtain SC. The trial is being livestreamed on the court's YouTube page. More than 1,100 people were watching the livestream from 10:30 am, before Wilson was called to the witness box.
Background of the Case
Rebel Wilson is being sued for defamation in the Federal Court by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor in musical comedy The Deb, which was directed by Wilson. MacInnes launched legal proceedings in September after a series of Instagram posts where Wilson accused her of complaining about unwanted sexual advances by producer Amanda Ghost, and then lying about it to get a record contract.
MacInnes denies that the sexual assault occurred, that she complained about it to Wilson, and that she retracted it in return for another lead role and the record deal.
The Incident at Bondi Beach
The situation unfolded when MacInnes and Ghost had a sunset swim at Bondi Beach on September 5, 2023. Ghost had a flare-up of a rare condition called cold urticaria, which causes hives or swelling after exposure to cold air or water. MacInnes took her back to their rented Bondi penthouse and ran a hot bath. MacInnes got in the bath with Ghost. They were both wearing swimming costumes.
Wilson claims MacInnes felt uncomfortable about bathing with Ghost, who was her boss at the time, and made a complaint to Wilson. MacInnes says she never felt uncomfortable about the bath and denies making a complaint.
Legal Claims
According to MacInnes' statement of claim, Wilson's posts accused her of lying about sexual assault and blocking the film's release, and portraying her as selfishly prioritising her own career over cast and crew who worked on The Deb. She claims Wilson's social media posts damaged her professional reputation and created doubts about her trustworthiness before she played her first lead role in a film.
MacInnes is seeking aggravated damages for serious harm caused, as well as a court order preventing Wilson from repeating the claims online.
