Rebel Wilson wins defamation case over ‘bizarre’ sexual harassment situation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Rebel Wilson arrives at Federal Court in Sydney on April 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. In a dispute linked to her directorial debut feature "The Deb", Rebel Wilson is being sued by the film's lead actor Charlotte MacInnes over a series of social media posts allegedly made by Wilson. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
Rebel Wilson has been cleared of defamation accusations (Picture: Don Arnold/Getty Images)

Rebel Wilson has been cleared of defamation claims after court clash with co-star Charlotte MacInnes.

The Pitch Perfect actress, 46, was sued by MacInnes for alleged harm to her reputation over Instagram posts Wilson shared in 2024 and 2025.

The pair had worked together on The Deb, a musical comedy written and directed by Wilson, in which MacInnes, 28, was one of the leading roles.

After the film was released, Wilson accused the actress of retracting her sexual harassment complaint against one of the film’s producers in order to further her career.

MacInnes denied this and launched a legal case against the Bridesmaids actress, which Justice Elizabeth Raper has now dismissed.

In court on Wednesday, she said implying the story had changed was not defamatory and ordered MacInnes to pay Wilson’s costs.

FILE PHOTO: Actor Charlotte MacInnes returns to court after a lunch break during a defamation hearing between Charlotte MacInnes and Rebel Wilson, in Sydney, Australia, April 28, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
Charlotte MacInnes claimed Wilson’s posts amounted to defamation (Picture: REUTERS)
Amanda Ghost during at break at the Federal Court of Australia, in Sydney, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) NO ARCHIVING
She and Amanda Ghost got in a bath together in ‘bizarre’ circumstances (Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

The issue stemmed from an incident in September 2023, where MacInnes went swimming at Bondi Beach with producer Amanda Ghost.

Ghost is said to have had an allergic reaction to the cold water, so the pair returned to her rented luxury apartment.

MacInnes reportedly ran a bath for the producer while she showered, but got in herself to warm up. Ghost then joined her shortly after, both wearing swimsuits.

Speaking on the incident, Justice Raper remarked: ‘To say that the circumstances surrounding how they came to be in the bath are unusual would be an understatement.’

Raper added that MacInnes had failed to establish how Wilson’s posts had caused or were likely to cause serious harm.

During the three-week trial earlier this year, Wilson claimed that the young actress had approached her the day after the incident.

FILE PHOTO: Actor Rebel Wilson speaks to the media as she arrives at court on the first day of a nine-day defamation hearing between Charlotte MacInnes and Rebel Wilson, in Sydney, Australia, April 20, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
Wilson as also accused of attempting to run a smear campaign which she denied (Picture: REUTERS)

She said MacInnes said she ‘felt uncomfortable’ with the situation, with the pair having a follow-up call later to discuss Wilson’s concerns.

Wilson then text Ghost, which was read out in court, to say it was ‘all good’ and MacInnes ‘just meant it was a bizarre situation, not that she felt personally uncomfortable’.

Ghost responded, ‘Oh thank f for that. OMG. That’s hilarious. I nearly died,’ to which Wilson replied: ‘She was instantly like, “Oh no, zero issues at all.” But she said she was happy I called to clarify.’

Confronted with these texts, Wilson said she was ‘trying to maintain professional communication’ with the producer of her film, who was also the ‘access’ to the finances, but stated she also felt ‘uneasy’ about the situation.

The North Shore actress branded the allegations ‘malicious concoctions’ and claimed Wilson had ordered a smear campaign against her, which the star denied.

On Instagram after the verdict, the How To Be Single actress wrote that the situation ‘has been incredibly difficult’.

‘This process has taught me a lot. It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed,’ she continued. ‘I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy.’

Wilson concluded: ‘I’m grateful this chapter has reached its conclusion and I’m looking forward to getting back to what I love most, my family and my work. Thank you to the Judge and the Australian legal system who I have the utmost respect for 💜.’

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