Rebel Wilson speaks out with lengthy statement after winning defamation case against young actress
Rebel Wilson has issued a statement after winning a defamation case brought about by her The Deb co-star.
Wilson was sued by Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes, 27, over a series of social media posts, which implied MacInnes retracted a complaint of sexual harassment against a film producer in an alleged bid to further her career.
MacInnes claimed general and aggravated damages after suggesting Wilson damaged her reputation.
The 27-year-old denied making or retracting a complaint, insisting she felt comfortable having to share a shower and a bath with producer and financier Amanda Ghost, 52.
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The incident occurred at Bondi Beach in 2023, with Ghost giving evidence in court that she suffered a a severe skin reaction to the cold water following an ocean swim.
MacInnes said in court that she was bathing with Ghost in an attempt to get warm. Both were wearing swimwear.
Wilson claimed her co-star complained to her the next day that she felt uncomfortable by the interaction, though MacInnes denies doing such.
Justice Elizabeth Raper ruled in favour of Wilson, saying that MacInnes failed to 'establish that the publications have caused or were likely to cause serious harm'.
Wilson has since spoken out, penning a lengthy statement on Instagram: "My love, (apart from my gorgeous family and friends obviously), is entertaining people – making YOU laugh and hopefully feel something.
"In the first play I ever wrote, produced and starred in – a lady in the audience wrote to me saying that she brought along her 13 year old niece to watch it. Her niece had sadly had her mother pass away a few weeks earlier, and for the first time, sitting in the theatre watching my show, she smiled. This meant everything to me.
"Affecting people in this positive way is what drives me to work those incredibly long hours and to keep going amongst a sea of rejection in an industry full of sharks. It fuels me to have come from a dog-showing family in suburban Sydney, selling dog products out of our caravan, to becoming internationally known and respected."
The Pitch Perfect star admitted that 'sometimes what I do can be "silly" but to me it’s super important and I take my job really seriously', adding: "I love doing what I do and am so passionate about the things that I make and the brilliant people I work with."
Calling her directorial debut, The Deb, 'her dream job', Wilson said: "Seeing that journey disrupted has been incredibly difficult, but I have always believed it was a story worth telling."
She continued: "This process has taught me a lot. It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed. I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy.
"I’m incredibly proud that I have continued making films, including my second film as director, GIRL GROUP, that is also pure fun and joy. And in MAJOR news it will co-incidentally also premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
"I am SO proud and SO excited for audiences to experience these stories. Thank you to everyone who has supported me.
"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."
Justice Raper concluded that MacInnes did complain about the bath incident to Wilson, though she did find one of Wilson's social media posts did convey an imputation about her co-star.
However, it was found not to be defamatory.
The judge said she did not accept 'the assertion of someone changing their story, for which there could be innumerable reasons for why they did, determined objectively by reference to community standards, is defamatory'.
MacInnes has also been ordered to pay Wilson's legal costs.
Topics: Rebel Wilson, World News, Celebrity
Callum Jones