A defamation case against Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson has been dismissed, with a federal court judge ruling in Wilson’s favour.
28-year-old Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes launched the high-profile defamation case against Wilson last year over a series of Instagram stories. MacInnes played the lead role in Wilson’s directorial debut film The Deb.
In the case, MacInnes claimed the social media posts made by Wilson had defamed her by implying she was a liar and sellout who walked back a sexual harassment complaint against one of the film’s producers.
Throughout the case, Wilson maintained MacInnes raised concerns with her about inappropriate conduct relating to the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost, and then retracted the concerns. In particular, it related to a bath MacInnes had shared with Ghost, while they were wearing swimmers, in September, 2023.
MacInnes has consistently denied ever making such a complaint.
MacInnes was seeking general and aggravated damages, and damages for breach of confidence.
The decision was handed down by Federal Court Justice Elizabeth Raper in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon. Justice Raper found that while one of Wilson’s social media posts in 2024 did convey an imputation about MacInnes, it was not defamatory.
MacInnes has been ordered to pay Wilson’s costs.
Justice Raper ruled that MacInnes had failed to establish that the matter caused, or was likely to cause, serious harm.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon, Wilson welcomed the decision.
“This process has taught me a lot. It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed,” she said in the post.
“I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy.
“I’m grateful this chapter has reached its conclusion and I’m looking forward to getting back to what I love most, my family and my work.
“Thank you to the Judge and the Australian legal system who I have the utmost respect for.”