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Rebel Wilson defamation trial over sexual harassment claims and smear websites

3 hours ago4 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

The Federal Court of Australia is hearing a defamation case where actor Charlotte MacInnes sues Rebel Wilson for allegedly defaming her through social media posts and smear websites. The dispute centers on claims that MacInnes withdrew a sexual harassment complaint against co-producer Amanda Ghost in exchange for career benefits, including a lead role in *Gatsby* and a recording contract. The incident in question occurred on September 5, 2023, at Bondi Beach, where Ghost suffered a medical episode (cold urticaria) and was assisted by MacInnes, who helped her back to an apartment and ran a bath. Wilson claims MacInnes later told her she felt uncomfortable during the bath, but MacInnes denies ever making such a complaint. The trial has revealed that Wilson hired a PR firm, The Agency Group, to create malicious websites accusing Ghost of being a 'madam' and 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell,' with internal texts calling Wilson 'nuts' and describing the project as 'fun.' Metadata suggests Wilson’s company was involved in drafting the content. Wilson’s defense argues MacInnes had incentives to align with Ghost’s version of events due to professional opportunities, while MacInnes’s lawyers claim the allegations were fabricated for leverage in disputes over *The Deb*’s production and budget. The film, Wilson’s directorial debut, was delayed for two years due to legal battles and finally released in April 2026.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Charlotte MacInnes is suing Rebel Wilson for defamation over social media posts claiming MacInnes withdrew a sexual harassment complaint against producer Amanda Ghost in exchange for career benefits
  • The defamation trial is taking place in the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney, with testimony from Katie Case, a former employee of The Agency Group (TAG) PR firm hired by Wilson
  • The Agency Group created websites (amandaghost.com and amandaghostsucks.com) accusing Amanda Ghost of being a 'madam' and 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell' with claims of sex trafficking and procuring young women for wealthy clients
  • Text messages from August 2024 show TAG CEO Melissa Nathan instructed Katie Case to create a 'harsh' website making Ghost appear as a 'madam,' with Case replying 'Oh my god lol ok this one will be fun'
  • The incident at the center of the dispute occurred on September 5, 2023, at Bondi Beach, where Amanda Ghost had a medical episode (cold urticaria) and was assisted by MacInnes, who helped her back to an apartment and ran a bath
  • Rebel Wilson’s film *The Deb* was delayed for two years due to legal disputes and was released in Australia in April 2026
  • Charlotte MacInnes denies ever making a sexual harassment complaint to Wilson or anyone else about the Bondi Beach incident
  • Wilson claims MacInnes told her the next day (September 6, 2023) that she felt uncomfortable during the bath incident, but MacInnes denies this
  • The trial is expected to last nine days, with testimony from witnesses including Carmen Pavlovic (Ghost’s friend), Gregor Cameron (Ghost’s husband and co-producer), and Hannah Reilly (writer of *The Deb*)
  • Wilson’s legal defense includes arguing that MacInnes had incentives to change her story due to her professional relationship with Ghost, who allegedly offered her career opportunities

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

The Guardian
  • Wilson was labelled 'nuts' and 'fucking nuts' in internal texts between The Agency Group employees regarding her requests for the smear websites
  • A former TAG employee, Katie Case, testified that she was provided a 'fully drafted' document for the website, with metadata later revealing it was created under the name of Wilson’s company, though she could not confirm authorship
  • Ghost’s friend Carmen Pavlovic testified that Ghost was 'angry and very upset' with MacInnes after Wilson claimed she made a complaint, and Pavlovic encouraged following proper processes to address concerns
  • Wilson’s PR team discussed portraying Ghost as someone who hired 'hookers' for Len Blavatnik, the billionaire owner of Warner Music, in a voicemail from Jed Wallace
  • Wilson’s email to Hannah Reilly’s agent in December 2023 was described as 'offensive,' 'aggressive,' 'irrational,' and 'abusive,' including the line 'If I was unclear about my personal feelings towards your client, I hope this email gives you some clarity'
  • Wilson’s Instagram post in May 2025 included a photo of MacInnes in an 'Indian outfit' on Len Blavatnik’s yacht, which MacInnes’s lawyer called culturally inappropriate
ABC News
  • Justice Elizabeth Raper questioned Katie Case about the 'whistleblower site,' asking if it was 'just created to look like it is,' to which Case replied 'That’s correct'
  • Wilson’s defense argues MacInnes has not suffered serious reputational harm, as she continued her career at the same rate post-dispute, including securing a lead role in *Gatsby* and a recording contract
  • The ABC article emphasizes that Wilson denies the imputations in her posts were defamatory and will defend them by proving they are true
  • The trial focuses on whether MacInnes reported the alleged harassment to Wilson, not whether harassment occurred
  • Wilson’s lawyer Dauid Sibtain argued that even if Ghost was recovering in the bath, a junior employee might feel discomfort, suggesting MacInnes’s alleged discomfort was plausible

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • The Guardian states Wilson’s email to Hannah Reilly’s agent was 'offensive,' 'aggressive,' and 'irrational,' while the ABC does not mention the content of the email beyond its existence
  • The Guardian describes the bath at the Bondi apartment as 'so large that the two women were not touching each other,' while the ABC does not specify the size of the bath but notes Wilson’s lawyer presented a photo suggesting a normal-sized bath
  • The Guardian claims Wilson hired a private investigator and engaged in a broader campaign to paint MacInnes as a 'money-grabbing opportunist,' while the ABC does not explicitly mention the private investigator but focuses on the PR websites and social media posts
  • The Guardian includes a quote from Wilson’s lawyer describing MacInnes’s career opportunities as 'life changing' due to her relationship with Ghost, while the ABC frames it as 'wealth of prizes and opportunities that have materialised,' with no direct quote from Wilson’s lawyer
  • The Guardian mentions Wilson took out defamation insurance to 'go ballistic' about Ghost, while the ABC does not reference this detail

Source Articles

GUARDIAN

Rebel Wilson labelled ‘nuts’ by PR team she allegedly hired to attack colleague, court hears

Wilson is being sued for defamation by actor Charlotte MacInnes over social media posts alleging a sexual harassment complaint Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Rebel Wilson was labelled “nuts” by a PR team she allegedly hired to create websites attacking a co-producer of her directorial debut, a court has heard. The Pitch Perfect actor directed, co-produced and acted in The Deb, a musical comedy set in rural NSW that remained unreleased for two years due to legal disp

4 hours ago
ABC

Producer on Rebel Wilson film branded 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell', court hears

Australian actor Rebel Wilson asked her crisis communications firm to publish a website that accused a producer on her own film of being an "Indian Ghislaine Maxwell", a Sydney court hears.

6 hours ago
ABC

Rebel Wilson accused of defaming actor with sexual harassment claim

Hollywood star Rebel Wilson is being sued in the Federal Court for defamation by one of the lead actor's in her directorial debut film, The Deb.

Yesterday
GUARDIAN

Rebel Wilson accused in court of trying to paint actor as ‘money grabbing opportunist’ as defamation trial begins

Wilson denies allegations made by Charlotte MacInnes, who she claims told her about uncomfortable situation with producer Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Rebel Wilson has been accused in court of hiring a private investigator and having false information published online in order to paint another actor as a “money grabbing opportunist” who withdrew a sexual harassment allegation for financial gain. But lawyers fo

Yesterday