Rebel Wilson’s legal showdown with Charlotte MacInnes is off to a fiery start.
The case is unfolding at the Federal Court in Sydney, and centers on claims Wilson made about her “The Deb” co-star, including allegations that producer Amanda Ghost had sexually harassed MacInnes.
Front and center in the opening arguments was the accusation that Wilson also worked to push her claims into the public domain. MacInnes’ legal team alleged the actress used PR channels to circulate and reinforce damaging narratives.
Rebel Wilson Faces PR Smear Claim In Court
Rebel Wilson was poised to make her directorial debut with the film “The Deb.” However, the moment has been overshadowed by mounting legal trouble.
The “Pitch Perfect” star appeared in court on Monday, April 20, as proceedings officially began in the defamation lawsuit filed by her co-star. Wilson was originally labeled a “bully” by the opposing side. However, MacInnes’ lawyers have followed up with the even more explosive claim that she allegedly engaged a crisis PR effort to push damaging narratives beyond the set.
Wilson is being accused of hiring publicist Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group to orchestrate a smear campaign targeting producer Ghost, as Deadline reported.
Wilson Accused Co-Star Of Backtracking On Harassment Claim
Wilson’s issues with MacInnes date back to when the younger actress raised concerns about an interaction she had with producer Ghost.
The incident in question allegedly took place in 2023 following an outing at Bondi Beach, where MacInnes and Ghost were said to have shared a bath in their swimsuits.
Wilson later claimed on Instagram that MacInnes initially expressed discomfort over the situation, but then reversed her stance. The “Pitch Perfect” star went further, suggesting her co-star had changed her account after receiving professional opportunities from the producer.
“The fact that this girl has been employed now by this ‘producer’ in the lead role of a production called GATSBY (ART Boston) and given a record label, should be all the proof you need as to why she has now changed her story,” Wilson wrote in a 2024 post.
Charlotte MacInnes Said Rebel Wilson’s Claims ‘Damaged’ Her Reputation
According to a report on ABC News Australia, MacInnes pushed back hard against Wilson’s version of events in court, with her legal team arguing that the actress’s claims have caused serious reputational harm.
Representing MacInnes, Sue Chrysanthou SC disputed Wilson’s account, telling the court that the younger actress only went home with Ghost after suffering a medical episode while swimming and needing assistance to run a hot bath.
Chrysanthou argued that Wilson’s public allegations painted a deeply damaging narrative, one that went far beyond a private disagreement and into reputational territory that could impact MacInnes’ career.
She further alleged that the “Pitch Perfect” star attempted to reinforce that narrative by contacting third parties to publish anonymous claims that reflected negatively on her client.
Rebel Wilson’s Lawyer Refuted Charlotte MacInnes’ Defamation Claims
Wilson’s legal team has hit back at MacInnes’ allegations, arguing that the actress’s concerns about the situation were still valid regardless of how events unfolded.
Wilson’s attorney, David Sibtain SC, told the court that even if Ghost had experienced a medical episode, it would not negate the possibility that MacInnes felt uncomfortable in the moment.
He went on to frame the case around Wilson’s understanding of events rather than the specifics of what actually occurred inside the Bondi apartment, emphasizing that the key question is whether she believed misconduct had taken place and acted accordingly.
According to Sibtain, the focus should not be on proving sexual misconduct, but on whether Wilson was acting on information she had been given when she raised concerns about the producer.
The Lawyer Said Her Accuser Had ‘Incentives’ To Change Story
Wilson’s defense team also doubled down on the claim that MacInnes later shifted her account of the alleged incident, arguing there were clear motivations behind that change.
In court, Sibtain pointed to the influence and industry standing, suggesting that MacInnes may have felt pressure to revise her position.
“It’s Ms. Wilson’s position that she changed her story because Ms. Ghost was a powerful person who expressed a very early interest professionally in Ms. MacInnes,” he said. “She had the power to make her dreams come true.”
Sibtain further pushed back against claims that Wilson’s statements caused lasting harm, rejecting the idea that MacInnes’ career had been derailed.