Rebel Wilson Clears Actress in Defamation Case

A Sydney court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by actress Charlotte MacInnes against Rebel Wilson. Justice Elizabeth Raper ruled that Wilson’s social media posts regarding a 2023 incident were not defamatory, ordering MacInnes to pay Wilson’s legal costs in a decision delivered this week.

The Court’s Ruling on Defamation Claims

The legal dispute centered on Instagram posts made by Rebel Wilson in 2024 and 2025. In those posts, Wilson alleged that Charlotte MacInnes—who appeared in the film The Deb—had retracted a sexual harassment complaint against a producer to advance her own career. MacInnes denied the claims, leading to a three-week trial in Sydney.

Justice Elizabeth Raper dismissed the case on Wednesday, concluding that the imputation that MacInnes had changed her story was not defamatory. As part of the judgment, the court ordered MacInnes to pay Wilson’s legal costs.

Details of the 2023 Bondi Beach Incident

The core of the trial involved an event from September 2023. MacInnes and Amanda Ghost, a producer on The Deb, went for a swim at Bondi Beach. The situation escalated when Ghost suffered an allergic reaction to the cold water, prompting the pair to return to a luxury apartment rented by the producer. Inside, Ghost showered while MacInnes ran a bath to warm up, with Ghost joining her shortly after while both were wearing swimsuits.

Conflicting Accounts and Evidence Presented

During the trial, conflicting testimonies emerged regarding how MacInnes felt about the incident. Wilson testified that MacInnes spoke to her the day after the bath, stating, Amanda asked me to have a bath and shower with her and it made me feel uncomfortable.

Wilson later contacted MacInnes to clarify the situation, concerned about the implications of the actress’s initial claim. Following that conversation, Wilson sent a text message to Ghost which was presented as evidence in court: Charlotte says all good. She just meant ‘it was a bizarre situation’ not that she felt personally uncomfortable.

Lawyers representing MacInnes characterized Wilson’s allegations as malicious concoctions. The defense also raised allegations that Wilson had directed a smear website to target Ghost, a claim Wilson denied during the proceedings.

Wilson’s Response to the Legal Conclusion

Following the court’s decision, Wilson took to Instagram to address the outcome. She expressed that the process has taught me a lot and thanked her supporters for standing by her.

Rebel Wilson's Defamation Case – Behind the News

“It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed. I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy.”

Rebel Wilson, via BBC

Wilson also stated she was grateful this chapter has reached its conclusion and extended her thanks to the judge and the Australian legal system who I have the utmost respect for.

The Financial Stakes and Professional Impact

Wilson’s legal team argued that MacInnes, who graduated from acting school in 2021, had not suffered professional damage due to the Instagram posts. To support this, they pointed to a recent record deal signed by the actress.

Sources: bbc.co.uk, AOL.