Defamation trial between Rebel Wilson and Charlotte MacInnes over sexual harassment allegations
Consensus Summary
The defamation trial between Rebel Wilson and Charlotte MacInnes centers on allegations that Wilson falsely claimed MacInnes made and retracted a sexual harassment complaint against producer Amanda Ghost during the 2023 production of *The Deb*. The incident involved MacInnes and Ghost sharing a bath in swimwear at a Bondi penthouse after Ghost suffered a medical reaction to cold water. Wilson posted on Instagram in 2024–2025 that MacInnes recanted the complaint for career benefits, including a lead role in *Gatsby* and a $150,000 record deal with Warner Music, which MacInnes denies. Key disputes include whether MacInnes ever complained to Wilson, the timing of Wilson reporting the alleged complaint to producers, and whether Wilson orchestrated smear campaigns against Ghost. Texts and witness testimonies contradict Wilson’s claims about immediate action, while MacInnes’ lawyer argues Wilson fabricated the complaint to retaliate against Ghost over budget disputes. The trial also highlighted Wilson’s use of social media to attack MacInnes, including a post by Wilson’s wife mocking MacInnes’ testimony, and allegations of a cyberattack on MacInnes’ accounts. Justice Elizabeth Raper reserved her decision after closing arguments.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Charlotte MacInnes is suing Rebel Wilson for defamation over social media posts claiming she made and retracted a sexual harassment complaint against producer Amanda Ghost
- The central incident involved MacInnes and Ghost sharing a bath in swimwear at a Bondi penthouse on September 5, 2023, after Ghost suffered a medical episode (urticaria) from swimming in cold water
- Rebel Wilson claims MacInnes told her the next day (September 6, 2023) that she felt uncomfortable during the bath incident, but MacInnes denies making any complaint
- Wilson posted Instagram stories in 2024 and 2025 suggesting MacInnes recanted the complaint for career benefits, including a lead role in *Gatsby* and a record deal with Warner Music
- MacInnes signed a $150,000 record deal with Atlantic Records (Warner Music) in late 2025, including an $110,000 advance, after Ghost’s assistance
- Wilson’s wife, Ramona Agruma-Wilson, posted an Instagram story on April 24, 2026, featuring Dory from *Finding Nemo* with text implying MacInnes had memory issues, which MacInnes claimed was mocking her testimony
- Wilson denies creating or ordering smear websites (e.g., *amandaghostsucks.com*) that called Ghost an 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell' and accused her of procuring young women, but text messages from her PR firm suggest involvement
- The film *The Deb* faced delays and legal battles, with its Australian release occurring in April 2026 after initial plans for a January 2026 release
- MacInnes testified she described the bath incident as 'strange' or 'bizarre' to Wilson but never said she felt uncomfortable, and Wilson texted Ghost on September 7, 2023, confirming MacInnes said 'it was a bizarre situation'
- Producer Greer Simpkin testified she first learned of the alleged complaint from Ghost a week after it was supposed to have occurred, contradicting Wilson’s claim she reported it immediately
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Wilson’s lawyer, Dauid Sibtain SC, argued MacInnes’ career progression—from amateur stage actor to international recording artist—was 'stratospheric' and likely motivated by her relationship with Ghost (Article 3).
- Wilson’s PR firm, The Agency Group, was accused of calling her 'fucking nuts' in internal texts (Article 17).
- Wilson’s closing argument claimed MacInnes lied under oath and that her career benefits (e.g., *Gatsby* role, record deal) were direct results of 'fudging' her complaint (Article 15).
- Wilson’s affidavit claimed she overheard Ghost and MacInnes saying 'intimate things—often of a sexual nature' to each other, which MacInnes denied (Article 18).
- Wilson’s lawyer suggested MacInnes was 'evading' questions about her close relationship with Ghost, including receiving 'super confidential' audition feedback (Article 7).
- MacInnes alleged Wilson orchestrated a hack of her Snapchat account in September 2025, leaking a nude photo to her contacts, which Wilson denied (Article 21).
- Wilson’s lawyer, Dauid Sibtain, suggested MacInnes’ 'lush international lifestyle' (e.g., private jets, superyachts) was funded by 'Team Russian Oligarch Billionaire' (Len Blavatnik’s network) (Article 22).
- Wilson’s PR firm employee, Katie Case, admitted the 'whistleblower site' against Ghost was fabricated to look like a real complaint but had no actual whistleblower (Article 24).
- MacInnes’ manager, Shoshanna Stone, confirmed the record deal was secured after Ghost’s encouragement, but denied timing it with the court case (Article 11).
- Wilson’s lawyer argued MacInnes’ 'nightmares and panic attacks' were exaggerated, given her ongoing career success (Article 3).
- Wilson’s text messages revealed she called MacInnes 'terribly rude' in May 2023 for prioritizing dinner with Ghost over a planned outing with Wilson and castmates (Article 6).
- Wilson’s lawyer suggested MacInnes was 'quite happy to ditch her co-lead actresses and director for a one-on-one with Ghost' (Article 6).
- Wilson’s lawyer highlighted a note MacInnes made during production where Greer Simpkin accused her of 'talking to Amanda all the time' and nearly getting crew fired (Article 6).
- MacInnes’ lawyer described Wilson as a 'fantastical liar' whose witnesses had 'discredited' her, including Greer Simpkin’s testimony about the timing of the complaint (Article 15).
- Wilson’s lawyer claimed MacInnes’ 'flip-flopping' on the complaint was motivated by Ghost’s power to advance her career (Article 15).
- Wilson’s lawyer argued the bath incident was 'sinister' despite MacInnes admitting it was 'strange and bizarre' (Article 16).
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian and ABC report Wilson texted Ghost on September 7, 2023, confirming MacInnes said the bath was 'a bizarre situation,' but Wilson’s lawyer claims MacInnes told her she felt 'uncomfortable' the day after the incident (September 6).
- Wilson claims she reported the alleged complaint to producer Greer Simpkin the day after it occurred (September 6), but Simpkin testified she only learned of it a week later (September 13) from Ghost (Guardian vs. ABC).
- Wilson denies involvement in creating smear websites against Ghost, but text messages from her PR firm show her requesting 'one of those sites' and discussing making Ghost a 'madam' (Guardian/ABC vs. Wilson’s testimony).
- MacInnes claims she never felt uncomfortable during the bath, but Wilson’s lawyer argues a 'junior actor' would naturally feel discomfort sharing a bath with a senior producer (ABC vs. Guardian/MacInnes).
- Wilson says she was 'shocked' by the alleged complaint and took it as sexual harassment, but MacInnes’ lawyer argues Wilson raised the complaint later to leverage disputes over film budgets and producer fees (Guardian vs. Wilson’s testimony).
Source Articles
Actor felt ‘mocked’ by Rebel Wilson’s wife in Instagram post referencing Finding Nemo, court hears
Charlotte MacInnes, who is suing Wilson for defamation, says social media post from Ramona Agruma-Wilson featuring animated character Dory, made her feel ‘awful’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A rising star who is suing Rebel Wilson says she felt mocked by the Hollywood actor’s wife appearing to reference her testimony in a social media post. Charlotte MacInnes launched defamation proceedings against the Pitch P
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
Plaintiff's lawyer describes Rebel Wilson as 'fantastical liar' in court
Final arguments in the defamation trial between Charlotte MacInnes and Rebel Wilson have heard claims of a suspicious career jump to "terrible, terrible" allegations.
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.
Rebel Wilson denies social media posts were an 'attack' on actor
Rebel Wilson tells a court several social media posts targeting the lead actor on her film The Deb are all true, on her final day of cross-examination in a defamation trial.
‘Terribly rude’: Text messages between Rebel Wilson and rising star revealed
Actor and singer Charlotte MacInnes, the star of Wilson’s directorial debut The Deb, is suing the Hollywood actor for defamation over a series of social media posts.
Actor on Rebel Wilson film accused of breaching NDA, court hears
Rebel Wilson's defamation trial hears from another producer on her directorial debut, who claims The Deb's lead actor was "fudging" her version of events about an alleged incident during production.
Producer believed Charlotte MacInnes was ‘fudging’ her story, court hears in Rebel Wilson defamation trial
The Hollywood star is being sued by the 27-year-old lead actor of her directorial debut, The Deb. A producer who thought a rising star was “fudging” her story and walking back a complaint of sexual harassment to Rebel Wilson will be in the spotlight during the final hours of a fiery court battle. Wilson is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the 27-year-old lead actor of the musical comedy The Deb. Continue reading...
Claim Rebel’s wife ‘mocked’ young star: court
The young actor suing Rebel Wilson claims the A-lister’s wife is “mocking” her online during a star-studded defamation trial.
Rebel Wilson takes to the witness stand for third day of testimony in defamation trial
The Pitch Perfect star is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor of Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Hollywood star Rebel Wilson has spoken about the upcoming birth of her second child as she entered the courthouse to give evidence for a third day in her blockbuster defamation battle. The Pitch Perfect star is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacIn
The Deb actor in feud with Rebel Wilson signed $150,000 record deal, court told
Wilson is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes over social media posts alleging a sexual harassment complaint Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast An actor accusing Rebel Wilson of damaging her career secured a $150,000 record deal with a publicist representing international superstars amid the feud with Wilson. Charlotte MacInnes is suing the Pitch Perfect actor over social media posts claiming MacInnes co
Rebel Wilson tight-lipped ahead of giving evidence in defamation trial
The Hollywood star is being sued for defamation in the Federal Court by Charlotte MacInnes, who plays the lead actor in Ms Wilson's debut directorial film, The Deb.
Court shown Rebel Wilson text exchange about actor's bath incident
A Sydney court is shown a text message exchange between Hollywood star Rebel Wilson and a movie producer over a bathroom incident involving a young actor.
Actor suing Rebel Wilson denies giving false statements about ‘bath incident’ at heart of defamation battle
The Deb star Charlotte MacInnes claims Wilson’s social media posts suggested she had dishonestly retracted the complaint in return for a lead stage role and record deal Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The star of Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut has emphatically denied giving false statements about a bath incident with a producer that sparked a blockbuster defamation battle. Charlotte MacInnes felt as if she had
Rebel labelled ‘fantastical liar’ in defo trial
Rebel Wilson’s own witnesses have “destroyed” her credit according to claims in her blockbuster defamation trial, with the A-Lister branded a “fantastical liar”.
Actor suing Rebel Wilson agrees bath incident was 'strange and bizarre'
A young actor suing Rebel Wilson for defamation has given details in court about an incident at Bondi Beach, which she claims the Hollywood star has since mischaracterised.
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
Rebel Wilson gives evidence in high-profile defamation case against star of directorial debut
Hollywood star expected to testify about claim a fellow actor confided in her that she was uncomfortable about a bathing request from another colleague Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Hollywood star Rebel Wilson has entered a courthouse ahead of giving evidence in her high-profile defamation battle against the star of her directorial debut. The Pitch Perfect star is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the Australia
Rebel Wilson is a ‘fantastical liar’ who ‘made up terrible allegations against multiple people’, court told
Barrister for actor Charlotte MacInnes, who is suing the Pitch Perfect star for defamation, also accused Wilson of ‘a complete revision of history’. Wilson has rejected defamation claims. 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 being a liar who made up terrible claims about her colleagues and completely rewrote history. The Pitch Perfect star copped the blunt assessment in the dy
Rebel opens up on ‘nightmare situation’: court
Rebel Wilson has opened up on a “nightmare situation” as she is quizzed during her second day on the stand in her defamation trial.
Rebel Wilson accused of orchestrating hack exposing actor’s nude photo
Charlotte MacInnes, the young actor suing the Hollywood star for defamation over a series of social media posts, said the alleged cyberattack was “terrifying”.
How young actor's big break ended in court battle against a Hollywood star
Charlotte MacInnes has said she once looked up to actor Rebel Wilson, for the past week they have locked in a messy defamation battle involving disparaging social media posts, a "Russian oligarch" and accusations of sexual harassment.
Rebel Wilson ‘a bit anxious’ about birth of child as defamation trial testimony enters second day
The Pitch Perfect actor is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor of Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson says her mind is on her heavily pregnant wife and the upcoming birth of her child as she gives evidence for a second day during her blockbuster defamation battle. The Pitch Perfect actor is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the 27-year-old lead actor of the musical comedy The Deb. Continue reading...
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.
More Entertainment stories
Trial of Duane 'Keffe D' Davis for orchestrating Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder
Death of actress Hayden Panettiere at age 36 investigated amid abuse allegations and addiction struggles
Death of Johnny Young, creator and host of Young Talent Time, aged 79
ABC apologizes after Gina Rinehart controversy over *Race Around the World* episode
Ralph Carr convicted of rape; suppression order lifted after three-year legal battle
Ariana Grande steps back from public life amid scrutiny over health and appearance
Latest cross-verified stories
Sydney Swans players linked to sexual assault allegations and club sanctions
Australia vs Bangladesh Test series in 2026, featuring historic upsets and batting struggles
Ukraine targets Wildberries warehouses and Russian infrastructure with drone strikes amid escalating war
Meta trial over social media addiction in children begins in California
Prince Harry and others ordered to pay legal costs to Daily Mail publisher after losing privacy lawsuit
Mass bird deaths linked to H5 bird flu in Australia’s southern states
Browse all stories from April 2026 in the archive.