Wilson Faces Defamation Lawsuit from Actress Charlotte MacInnes

Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson is at the center of a high-profile defamation trial in Sydney, facing accusations from her former co-star Charlotte MacInnes that she made false and damaging claims about sexual harassment allegations linked to their 2024 film The Deb. The legal battle, which began on April 20, 2026, has unfolded in Australia’s Federal Court, with MacInnes seeking aggravated damages and a court order to prevent Wilson from repeating the allegations.

Allegations Stem from Social Media Posts

The dispute centers on a series of Instagram posts Wilson made in July 2024, which MacInnes claims falsely suggested she had privately confided in Wilson about being sexually harassed by a producer of The Deb. According to court filings, MacInnes alleges Wilson implied she had lied when she later denied discussing harassment or inappropriate behavior by producers involved in the film. Wilson, who has over 11 million followers on Instagram, has not publicly disclosed her legal defense, though she has denied the claims.

MacInnes, the lead actor in Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb, argues that Wilson’s posts were defamatory because they portrayed her as retracting a sexual harassment complaint to advance her acting career. The court has heard testimony that the allegations relate to a 2023 incident involving producer Amanda Ghost, during which MacInnes and Ghost went for an evening swim in Bondi. Ghost reportedly suffered a reaction to the cold water, developing welts that required her to warm up in a bath. MacInnes has maintained that both she and Ghost kept their swimsuits on during the incident and that no inappropriate behavior occurred.

In her testimony, Wilson stated that MacInnes had told her Ghost asked her to take a bath and shower, which made MacInnes feel uncomfortable. Wilson described the conversation as feeling like “a sexual harassment complaint.” However, MacInnes’ legal team has argued that Wilson failed to verify the claims with MacInnes before making them public and that no formal complaint was ever filed.

Broader Legal Fallout for The Deb

The defamation case is not the only legal challenge Wilson and The Deb have faced. Producers of the film, including executive producer Vince Holden and producers Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron, have filed separate lawsuits against Wilson in both the United States and Australia’s New South Wales court. These lawsuits allege that Wilson’s public statements about misconduct on set led to delays in the film’s Australian theatrical release, which was originally slated for early 2026. The Deb premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024, but its wider release has been complicated by the ongoing legal disputes.

Wilson’s July 2024 Instagram posts also accused the producers of attempting to block the film’s premiere in retaliation for her raising concerns about alleged misconduct. While Australian media has reported on these claims, the producers have not publicly responded to the specific allegations in court.

Cybersecurity Allegations Add New Layer to Dispute

The legal battle took a dramatic turn when MacInnes accused Wilson of orchestrating a cyber-attack on her social media accounts. In an affidavit filed in Federal Court, MacInnes claimed her Snapchat account was hacked in September 2025, days after she initiated legal proceedings against Wilson. She also alleged an attempt was made to breach her Facebook account. According to MacInnes, the hack led to the leak of a nude photo, which she described as “completely terrifying and caused me a new kind of anxiety.”

MacInnes stated in her affidavit, “I believe that this was orchestrated by Rebel.” However, no evidence has been presented in court to substantiate the claim and Wilson has not been questioned about the hacking allegations. The cybersecurity aspect of the case remains unresolved, with MacInnes’ legal team yet to present further proof linking Wilson to the incident.

Wilson’s Testimony and Public Persona

During her testimony on April 27, 2026, Wilson described herself as a “champion of women” while denying that she had lied about the allegations. She faced intense questioning from MacInnes’ legal team, particularly regarding the Bondi incident and her decision to publicize the claims without verifying them with MacInnes. Wilson’s legal strategy has not been fully disclosed, but her testimony suggested she stands by her characterization of the events as she understood them at the time.

The trial has drawn significant media attention, not only for its implications for Wilson’s reputation but also for its potential impact on the broader conversation about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. Wilson, known for her roles in Bridesmaids and the Pitch Perfect franchise, has positioned herself as an advocate for women in Hollywood, a narrative that now faces scrutiny in light of the defamation claims.

What Comes Next

The Federal Court trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with both sides presenting further evidence and witness testimony. MacInnes’ legal team is seeking not only financial compensation but also a court order to prevent Wilson from repeating the allegations, which could have lasting implications for Wilson’s public statements about the film and its producers.

The outcome of the case may also influence the separate lawsuits filed by The Deb producers, particularly if the court finds Wilson’s social media posts to be defamatory. For now, the legal battles have cast a shadow over the film’s release and Wilson’s directorial debut, raising questions about the intersection of advocacy, accountability, and artistic collaboration in Hollywood.