The claims by Rebel Wilson that a young Australian actress was sexually harassed by a producer and then concealed it to advance her career were labeled as "malicious fabrications" during the opening day of a defamation case against the star in a Sydney court.
Charlotte MacInnes is suing Wilson for defamatory remarks she posted on social media, which she alleges have tarnished her reputation for integrity and honesty. The allegations stem from Wilson's claims that MacInnes withdrew a complaint - which MacInnes denies ever making - in exchange for a major theater role and a record deal.
The incident in question took place on September 5, 2023, when MacInnes and the film's producer, Amanda Ghost, went for a late afternoon swim at Bondi Beach. Ghost had an allergic reaction to the water, breaking out in red welts and shaking uncontrollably. The pair returned to Ghost's beachside apartment, where MacInnes prepared a hot bath for Ghost, who had taken a shower to warm up. Both later entered the "oversized" bath wearing their swimsuits, with MacInnes' legal team stating that they "were not even touching at all."
The next day, Wilson spoke with MacInnes, who told her she felt uncomfortable about the bath incident, according to Wilson. However, when Wilson discussed it with MacInnes again a few days later, the young actress said this was not what she had said. A text message sent by Wilson to Ghost read: "Charlotte says all good. She just meant 'it was a bizarre situation' not that she personally felt uncomfortable."
That night, they all attended a Boy George concert, the court heard.
The allegations that MacInnes was sexually harassed by Ghost but then retracted her complaint to further her career were described as "completely false, fantasy, malicious fabrications" by MacInnes' lawyer, Sue Chrysanthou SC.
However, Wilson's lawyer, Dauid Sibtain, argued that MacInnes lied by denying she had complained to Wilson "to ensure that her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ms. Ghost." Sibtain claimed that since the film's release, MacInnes has starred in a theater production in the US and released a single, with another to "drop any day now."
"She's suffered no harm to her reputation; indeed, her career has progressed," he said. "All of these wealth of prizes and opportunities that have materialized have come, we would suggest, because Ms. MacInnes decided to align herself with Ms. Ghost's version."
One of Wilson's posts from September 2024 read: "The fact that this girl has been employed now by this 'producer' in the lead role of a production called GATSBY (ART Boston) and given a record label - should be all the proof you need as to why she has now changed her story."
MacInnes, who graduated from a Western Australian acting academy in 2021, plays one of the two lead characters in The Deb, a musical comedy set in the Australian outback. The movie was released in Australia this month.
Wilson, who also appeared in the hit film Bridesmaids, is facing two other court cases - one in Australia where the film's producers allege contract breaches and another in the US over claims Wilson defamed the producers and where Wilson is countersuing. The trial in Sydney that began on Monday is expected to continue for nine days.
