Content Advisory: This article discusses a defamation trial and sexual harassment allegations. Reader discretion is advised.
Rebel Wilson’s legal fight over ‘The Deb’ has taken another ugly turn.
The actress and filmmaker has been branded a “fantastical liar” in closing arguments during a defamation trial tied to her directorial debut. Wilson is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actress in ‘The Deb’, who claims Wilson damaged her reputation with allegations about a workplace complaint involving producer Amanda Ghost.
The case now sits with Justice Elizabeth Raper in Sydney, Australia, after both sides delivered sharp final arguments.
Rebel Wilson Accused Of ‘Complete Revision Of History’
MacInnes claims Wilson falsely alleged that she had made a sexual harassment complaint against Ghost and then later backed away from those concerns to help her career.
Wilson has maintained that MacInnes told her about feeling uncomfortable after a September 2023 incident involving MacInnes and Ghost sharing a bath.
In court on Friday, MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou accused Wilson of rewriting what happened.
Chrysanthou called the ‘Pitch Perfect’ star a “fantastical liar who has made up terrible, terrible allegations about other people.”
She also said MacInnes has been deeply affected by the fallout from the dispute. “My client has been unable to eat, unable to sleep, has been distressed,” Chrysanthou said, adding that MacInnes “fears what Rebel Wilson is going to do to her next.”
Wilson’s Lawyer Calls The Claim ‘Preposterous’
Wilson’s barrister, Dauid Sibtain, pushed back hard in closing arguments.
He told the court that the idea Wilson would invent an allegation against her own lead actress made “no sense.” He also called the suggestion “preposterous” and argued that MacInnes had offered “no good reason” for why Wilson would do that.
Sibtain also focused on MacInnes’ career after she allegedly walked back the complaint. He said her career had gone “stratospheric,” pointing to her casting in a Ghost-produced ‘Gatsby’ stage show and a record deal with Warner Music. “That must have been a motivation in her mind for the change,” Sibtain said.
He added, “It is remarkable to see someone … fresh out of having performed a small part in a stage show launching straight into international travel between London, Cannes, Italy, and Los Angeles, it’s quite remarkable.”
‘The Deb’ Trial Now Awaits A Verdict
The legal fight has placed Wilson’s first film as a director under a harsh spotlight. ‘The Deb’ was meant to mark a major career step for the actress after years of screen success in projects like ‘Pitch Perfect’.
Instead, the film is now tied to a courtroom battle involving disputed claims, reputation damage, and questions about what was said behind the scenes.
MacInnes says Wilson’s statements hurt her reputation. Wilson says she did not fabricate the account and has defended her version of events.
Justice Raper will now consider the verdict.
