Rebel Wilson Denies Bullying Allegations in Defamation Trial

Rebel Wilson is currently testifying in a defamation trial in Sydney, facing a lawsuit brought by Charlotte MacInnes, the Australian lead actor of the musical comedy The Deb. The legal dispute centers on four social media posts published by Wilson, which MacInnes claims damaged her reputation by suggesting she is a liar who retracted a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career.

During her testimony in the Federal Court on April 28, 2026, Wilson addressed allegations that she had bullied women on the set of the film. She described the accusations of both private and public bullying as absolute nonsense and asserted her long-standing commitment to supporting women.

Allegations of Career Manipulation

The core of the defamation claim involves a conflict between Wilson and co-producer Amanda Ghost. Wilson testified that MacInnes had confided in her regarding a medical episode that occurred in September 2023, after which MacInnes reportedly felt uncomfortable sharing a bath in swimwear with Ghost.

MacInnes has denied making such a complaint. Her legal team argues that Wilson’s social media posts falsely implied that MacInnes had fabricated and subsequently withdrawn a sexual harassment claim against Ghost in exchange for a record deal and the lead role in The Deb.

Smear Websites and PR Firms

The court heard evidence regarding the existence of smear websites that attacked Amanda Ghost, describing the producer as a sex trafficker and an Indian Ghislaine Maxwell. MacInnes’s legal team alleged that Wilson acted as a bully and employed a crisis public relations firm, The Agency Group (TAG), to create these sites.

Wilson unequivocally denied authoring or ordering the creation of the malicious websites. While she acknowledged that her U.S. Lawyer had hired The Agency Group to assist with a legal dispute involving her co-producers, she repeatedly insisted that the firm had not been commissioned to work for her in the capacity of creating smear campaigns.

Wilson further testified that she would not have been horrified by the existence of such sites at the time, as she alleged that Ghost was bullying her during that period.

Production Delays and Personal Stakes

The ongoing legal proceedings have had a direct impact on the distribution of Wilson’s directorial debut. The Australian theatrical release of The Deb has been delayed as a result of the trial. MacInnes is seeking an injunction to prevent Wilson from reiterating the allegations, as well as aggravated damages.

Beyond the legal conflict, Wilson shared personal details during her testimony regarding her private life. She told the court she felt a bit anxious regarding the upcoming birth of her child as the trial entered its second day of testimony.

The trial continues to examine the interactions between the cast and production team of The Deb, with Wilson maintaining that the evidence presented against her is a grotesque pretence.