Rebel Wilson entered federal court in Sydney Tuesday morning to testify in a high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actress from Wilson's directorial debut "The Deb." MacInnes sued the Hollywood star over four social media posts that accused her of making and then retracting sexual harassment complaints to advance her career.
The defamation battle stems from a September 2023 incident at Bondi Beach involving MacInnes and co-producer Amanda Ghost. MacInnes helped Ghost back to their shared apartment after Ghost suffered a medical episode at the beach. The two women shared a bath while wearing swimwear to warm up after the incident, according to MacInnes's court testimony.
Wilson plans to testify that MacInnes confided in her about feeling uncomfortable when Ghost asked her to bathe and shower together. MacInnes denies making such complaints, claiming she only told Wilson the situation was "weird" but that she was not uncomfortable around Ghost. The dispute escalated when Wilson posted about the allegations on social media, prompting MacInnes to file the defamation suit.
Wilson's legal team made an application Tuesday for her wife, Ramona Agruma-Wilson, to have her testimony read in court rather than appear in person. Dauid Sibtain SC cited Agruma-Wilson's late-stage high-risk pregnancy and concerns about the stress of cross-examination as reasons for the request.
Court documents reveal Wilson claims she overheard Ghost and MacInnes making intimate comments "often of a sexual nature" to each other, allegations MacInnes has rejected as false. Wilson also alleges she witnessed Ghost pressuring MacInnes to go out for drinks until the younger actress agreed, another claim MacInnes disputes.
The case highlights the complex dynamics that can emerge during film productions and the potential legal consequences of social media posts about workplace conduct. Wilson, known for her roles in "Pitch Perfect" and "Bridesmaids," made her directorial debut with the musical comedy at the center of the dispute.
MacInnes maintains that Wilson's social media posts damaged her reputation by falsely portraying her as someone who would fabricate and then withdraw harassment complaints for career advancement. The federal court proceedings will determine whether Wilson's posts constitute defamation under Australian law.
The trial continues with Wilson's testimony expected to focus on her interactions with both MacInnes and Ghost during the film's production, as the court weighs competing accounts of what transpired between the co-workers.
