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AAP
AAP
Lifestyle
Morgan Reinwald

How Rebel Wilson won her star-studded defamation trial

Charlotte MacInnes failed to prove Rebel Wilson seriously defamed her in four Instagram posts. (Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS)

REBEL WILSON WINS DEFAMATION TRIAL

* Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson has emerged successful from a defamation lawsuit brought by her co-star in the Federal Court.

* Actor and singer Charlotte MacInnes, who brought the legal action, was the lead actor in Wilson's directorial debut and musical comedy The Deb.

* The judge found the four social media posts were not defamatory.

Rebel Wilson leaves court
Rebel Wilson labelled the lawsuit by her film's star as "baseless (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

WHAT HAPPENED?

* Wilson posted a series of Instagram stories in 2024 and 2025 which claimed MacInnes had made a complaint to her and then walked it back.

* The post claimed the young actor confided in her that co-producer Amanda Ghost had asked her to have a bath and shower together when they were sharing an apartment, and it made her feel uncomfortable.

* MacInnes denied making the complaint and claimed she never said the words attributed to her.

* MacInnes sued Wilson, arguing she had been defamed by the posts.

Charlotte MacInnes flanked by legal team
Charlotte MacInnes said Wilson's narrative "painted me as a liar, prostitute, sell out, and whore" (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

HOW DID WILSON RESPOND?

* Wilson claimed she told the truth in her posts and that MacInnes had changed her story.

* She labelled the lawsuit "baseless".

COMMENTS IN COURT

"If you look across my 25-year career you can see many evidences (sic) of me supporting women, promoting women" - Wilson after MacInnes' barrister Sue Chrysanthou asked if she considered herself a champion of women.

"I was angry Rebel claims to be someone who stands up for women ... but then was so maliciously and unfairly persisting with a narrative that painted me as a liar, prostitute, sell out, and whore" - MacInnes in her affidavit.

WILSON'S VICTORY POST ON INSTAGRAM

* Wilson posted on Instagram minutes after the judgment was made.

"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."

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