In brief
The Court of Appeal in Sydney has cleared Rebel Wilson of defamation claims made by Charlotte MacInnes, the young actress from Wilson’s film “The Deb.” MacInnes alleged that Wilson’s Instagram posts had damaged her reputation by accusing her of retracting a sexual‑harassment complaint to boost her career. Judge Elizabeth Raper dismissed the case, stating the imputation was not defamatory and that no serious harm had been proven, and ordered MacInnes to pay Wilson’s legal costs. The dispute stemmed from an incident at a bath in a luxury apartment in December 2023 where MacInnes and producer Amanda Ghost were involved. Wilson thanked supporters and the Australian legal system in a post after the ruling.
Sydney’s Court of Appeal has ruled that Rebel Wilson was not guilty of defamation in the lawsuit filed by Charlotte MacInnes, the Australian actress who appeared in Wilson’s film The Deb.
MacInnes had sued Wilson for Instagram posts made in 2024 and 2025 that she claimed had harmed her reputation by accusing her of retracting a sexual‑harassment complaint against a film producer in order to advance her career. MacInnes denied the allegation.
In its decision, Justice Elizabeth Raper said the statement that MacInnes had changed her story was not defamatory, and that MacInnes had failed to prove the posts caused or were likely to cause serious harm. The court ordered MacInnes to pay Wilson’s legal costs.
The dispute was sparked by an incident in September 2023 when MacInnes and producer Amanda Ghost went for a swim at Bondi Beach, then returned to Ghost’s rented apartment. The two women, wearing swimsuits, were involved in a bath that became the subject of the alleged Instagram posts.
Wilson posted on Instagram after the decision, saying the process taught her a lot and reinforced her belief in standing up for what she considers right. She thanked supporters and expressed respect for the Australian legal system.
