Rebel Wilson Sued Over 'Money‑Grabbing' Defamation
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- Rebel Wilson is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes over four Instagram posts that allegedly portrayed MacInnes as a “money‑grabbing opportunist” who withdrew a sexual‑harassment claim for financial gain.
- Charlotte MacInnes alleges Wilson hired a private investigator, a US lawyer, and defamation insurance to launch an online campaign against her and producer Amanda Ghost, including posting false allegations about a bath‑sharing incident.
- Sydney federal court heard that a September 2023 studio conversation is disputed: Wilson says MacInnes raised concerns about Ghost’s behaviour, while MacInnes says she told Wilson the bath with Ghost was not uncomfortable.
- Jed Wallace, a PR agency staffer, left a voicemail urging that Ghost be depicted as hiring ‘hookers’ for billionaire Len Blavatnik, and metadata shows Wilson’s company Camp Sugar edited anonymous website headlines about Ghost.
- Wilson’s lawyers argue the case is not about whether Ghost harassed MacInnes but whether MacInnes ever reported such harassment to Wilson, and they will defend the social‑media posts by proving any statements are true.
- Damages sought by MacInnes could exceed the $500,000 cap for aggravated damages, though the exact amount was not disclosed.
- Hannah Reilly, writer of the stage version of The Deb and recipient of a $15,000 Rebel Wilson Comedy Commission, testified, while Katelin Koprivec disputed Wilson’s claim about the bathtub size.
Why it matters: If MacInnes prevails, she could secure damages beyond the $500,000 cap, financially penalising Wilson and deterring similar PR‑driven defamation tactics in the Australian film sector; conversely, a loss would leave MacInnes’s reputation, career prospects, and future opportunities vulnerable to Wilson’s allegations.
