Claims by Rebel Wilson that a young Australian actress was sexually harassed by a producer but then hid it to better her career are malicious concoctions, a Sydney court has heard on the first day of a defamation case against the Hollywood star.
In 2024 and 2025, Wilson posted on Instagram that Charlotte MacInnes - who stars in Wilson's film The Deb - had felt uncomfortable after sharing a bath with one of its female producers.
The Pitch Perfect star claimed MacInnes had retracted a complaint - which MacInnes denies making - in exchange for a major theatre role and a record deal.
MacInnes says the allegations have tarnished her reputation for integrity and honesty, and is seeking damages.
Lawyers for MacInnes have stated she made no complaint to Wilson about the bath incident but that Wilson later used it as leverage in a dispute with producers about the film's budget and contracts.
On the first day of the case, the court saw a series of private texts between Wilson, producer Amanda Ghost, and MacInnes, along with detailed emails regarding the bath and alleged sexual harassment.
The incident occurred on September 5, 2023, after MacInnes and Ghost went for a swim at Bondi Beach. Ghost suffered an allergic reaction to the cold water, leading to them returning to her beachside apartment, where MacInnes ran a hot bath for Ghost.
Both participants later entered the bath, described by MacInnes' legal team as oversized, wearing swimsuits without any physical contact, according to her defence lawyer. A text from Wilson suggested MacInnes felt the situation was bizarre but not personally uncomfortable.
Wilson's lawyer claimed MacInnes lied to protect her career, citing her recent successes in theatre and music following the incident, arguing that Wilson's allegations were false and unfounded.
The trial, which is expected to last nine days, adds to the legal challenges facing Wilson, who is also embroiled in another defamation suit in the U.S.
