Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson has secured a legal victory after Australia’s Federal Court ruled that she did not defame fellow actress Charlotte MacInnes through a series of social media posts linked to their film The Deb.
The judgment concludes a lengthy and highly publicized legal dispute that stemmed from allegations surrounding the production of Wilson’s directorial debut.
Despite the ruling, lawyers representing MacInnes have indicated that an appeal is expected to be filed, suggesting the legal battle may not yet be over.
Lawsuit Centered on Social Media Allegations
MacInnes, 28, who starred in The Deb, accused Wilson of publishing posts that portrayed her as dishonest and motivated by career advancement.
According to the claim, the posts suggested that MacInnes had privately raised concerns about an incident involving the film’s co-producer, Amanda Ghost, before later retracting those concerns.
Wilson’s posts implied that MacInnes initially expressed discomfort after Ghost allegedly invited her to shower and bathe together, only to later reverse her account.
MacInnes consistently denied both making such a complaint and withdrawing it.
Instead, she maintained that the shared bath occurred while both women wore swimwear and followed a medical incident involving Ghost in September 2023, insisting she had never viewed the encounter as inappropriate.
Judge Finds No Evidence of Serious Harm
Delivering the decision two months after the trial concluded, Justice Elizabeth Raper ruled in Wilson’s favor, finding that MacInnes had failed to prove the legal threshold required in a defamation claim.
The court determined that the actress had not established that the social media publications caused, or were likely to cause, serious harm to her reputation.
As part of the ruling, the judge also ordered MacInnes to cover Wilson’s legal costs.
Wilson Responds After Court Victory
Although Wilson was not present when the judgment was delivered, she later released a public statement expressing gratitude for the court’s decision and the judicial process.
She described the legal proceedings as a difficult chapter, particularly because they unfolded during the release of her first film as a director.
Wilson said the experience challenged her personally but strengthened her commitment to acting according to her principles.
The actress added that she remains focused on her family and future creative projects, emphasizing her intention to continue making films while standing by what she believes is right.
Fierce Courtroom Clash Over Credibility
The case featured sharply conflicting accounts from both sides during weeks of courtroom testimony.
MacInnes’ legal team argued that Wilson had rewritten events and made false allegations against multiple people.
During closing submissions, her barrister criticized Wilson’s credibility, describing her version of events as fundamentally unreliable.
Wilson rejected those accusations throughout the proceedings.
She insisted she had never fabricated the allegations and denied claims that the issue was raised to gain leverage during disagreements with the film’s producers over production matters, including budget and writing credits.
While giving evidence, Wilson maintained that her social media posts reflected what she believed to be the truth rather than a personal attack.
Defense Argues Posts Reflected Honest Belief
Wilson’s legal team argued there was no reason for the actress to invent allegations that could potentially damage her own film by creating conflict between its lead performer and a producer.
Her barrister instead claimed that MacInnes had withdrawn her position because maintaining a positive relationship with Ghost benefited her professional career.
The defense pointed to opportunities allegedly connected to Ghost, including a leading stage role and a lucrative recording contract, while arguing that MacInnes had suffered no serious reputational damage as a result of Wilson’s posts.
MacInnes had sought aggravated damages, claiming the publications caused emotional distress, anxiety, and a period without professional work.
However, the court ultimately rejected those claims, bringing the initial proceedings to a close while leaving the possibility of an appeal on the horizon.
