Rebel Wilson Defamation Trial: Testimony and Allegations Unfold
Australian actress Rebel Wilson is currently facing a defamation lawsuit in the Federal Court of Australia brought by Charlotte MacInnes, a lead actress in Wilson’s directorial debut film, The Deb. The trial, which began on April 20, 2026, centers around social media posts made by Wilson that MacInnes alleges are defamatory.
Background of the Case
The dispute stems from events that occurred in September 2023 during the production of The Deb. MacInnes claims she was defamed by Wilson’s posts suggesting she lied about an incident involving producer Amanda Ghost. The trial is expected to last nine days.
The Incident at Bondi Beach
According to court testimony, the incident involved Ghost experiencing a medical episode while swimming. MacInnes and Ghost then went to Ghost’s apartment, where MacInnes ran a hot bath for the producer. Sue Chrysanthou SC, representing MacInnes, stated that both women were wearing their swimsuits throughout the incident. MacInnes described the event as “weird” and “bizarre.”
Conflicting Accounts
Wilson testified that MacInnes confided in her that the incident made her feel uncomfortable. MacInnes, however, denies making any such complaint, maintaining she never expressed discomfort. Wilson stated she perceived MacInnes’s account as a sexual harassment complaint, describing it as the “worst thing” that could have happened given the film’s “fun girl power” theme.
Allegations of Insurance and Bullying
The court has also heard allegations that Wilson took out defamation insurance prior to publishing the social media posts. Wilson has denied accusations of bullying MacInnes. She stated she “did the best [she] could” by listening to MacInnes and couldn’t recall specifically asking if MacInnes wanted to report the incident.
The Deb’s Troubled Production
The Deb faced lengthy delays and legal battles before its recent release in Australia. Wilson revealed she had been working on the film for years and the alleged incident occurred just weeks before filming was set to begin.
Ongoing Testimony
As of April 29, 2026, Rebel Wilson was continuing to testify in her defense. The case remains ongoing, with the court expected to hear further evidence and arguments from both sides.