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Defamation case centers on alleged false harassment claims
A Sydney court began hearing arguments Monday in a defamation lawsuit filed by actress Charlotte MacInnes against Pitch Perfect star Rebel Wilson. MacInnes alleges Wilson falsely accused her of withdrawing a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career.
Social media posts spark legal dispute
Between 2024 and 2025, Wilson shared Instagram posts suggesting MacInnes-who stars in Wilson's film The Deb-felt "uncomfortable" after sharing a bath with a female producer. Wilson claimed MacInnes later retracted a complaint in exchange for a theater role and record deal, an allegation MacInnes denies.
MacInnes' legal team argues the accusations have damaged her reputation for integrity, while Wilson's lawyers contend the posts reflect genuine concerns about workplace conduct.
The disputed bath incident
The controversy stems from a September 5, 2023, incident at Bondi Beach. Producer Amanda Ghost suffered an allergic reaction to cold water, known as cold urticaria, developing red welts and uncontrollable shaking. MacInnes and Ghost returned to Ghost's apartment, where MacInnes ran a hot bath to help Ghost recover.
Both entered the "oversized" bath while wearing swimsuits, with MacInnes' lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC stating they "were not even touching at all." Ghost's assistant later joined them briefly in the bathroom.
The next day, Wilson spoke with MacInnes, who reportedly expressed discomfort about the situation. However, when Wilson followed up days later, MacInnes denied making such a complaint, according to court testimony.
A text from Wilson to Ghost, shown in court, read: "Charlotte says all good. She just meant 'it was a bizarre situation' not that she personally felt uncomfortable."
Contrasting narratives in court
MacInnes' legal team called Wilson's allegations "completely false, fantasy, malicious concoctions." They argue Wilson used the incident as "leverage" in a separate dispute with producers over The Deb's budget and contracts.
"The allegations that she was sexually harassed but then retracted her complaint to further her career were fabricated," Chrysanthou told the court.
Wilson's lawyer, Dauid Sibtain, countered that MacInnes lied about the complaint to appease Ghost, suggesting her career benefited from the producer's influence. Since The Deb's release, MacInnes has starred in a U.S. theater production and released music, with another single pending.
"She's suffered no harm to her reputation-indeed, her career has progressed," Sibtain said. "All of these opportunities materialized because Ms. MacInnes aligned herself with Ms. Ghost's version."
Wilson's broader legal battles
This trial is one of three legal cases involving Wilson. Producers of The Deb have sued her in Australia for alleged contract breaches, while a U.S. case accuses Wilson of defaming producers, with Wilson countersuing.
The Sydney trial, which began April 20, is expected to last nine days. MacInnes, a 2021 graduate of a Western Australian acting academy, plays a lead role in The Deb, a musical comedy set in the Australian outback. The film premiered in Australia this month.
