Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Rebel Wilson has arrived at the Federal Court in Sydney for her weeks-long defamation trial spurred by the lead actor in her directorial debut The Deb.
Charlotte MacInnes, 25, is suing the Aussie star over a series of social media posts allegedly made by Ms Wilson.
The young actor’s lawyers claim the posts imply Ms MacInnes lied when she denied making a sexual harassment complaint against one of the film’s producers, Amanda Ghost, in order to secure a lead role in another of Ms Ghost’s productions.
The trial is expected to span nine days before Justice Elizabeth Raper in the Federal Court.
Ms Wilson travelled from the US to be in court, arriving on Monday morning sporting a beige cardigan, black pants and black heels.
She smiled at the awaiting media, thanking those who had gone to see The Deb in cinemas.
“I love The Deb, I mean it’s so cute and amazing. Thank you to everyone who’s going to the cinemas,” Ms Wilson said outside court before proceedings began on Monday.
Bondi Beach swim at centre of case
The two actors were co-stars in the musical comedy The Deb, which Ms Wilson directed and partially wrote. At the centre of the case is a swim at Bondi Beach in September 2023.
Documents filed by Ms Wilson claim Ms MacInnes showered and bathed with Ms Ghost at the producer’s apartment after a swim at Bondi in 2023, with the younger actor allegedly later telling her the incident had made her uncomfortable.
Documents filed by Ms MacInnes instead claim Ms Ghost had suffered a medical episode at the beach and she had run a hot bath for the producer at Ms Ghost’s penthouse apartment as a result, with both of them remaining in bathing suits.
Ms MacInnes denies making a complaint against Ms Ghost, with the younger actor telling Ms Wilson she was not uncomfortable with what had unfolded, court documents allege.
Ms Wilson claims the young actor lied by saying this.
Ms MacInnes’ lawyers further claim one of Ms Wilson’s posts implied the young actor supported people allegedly trying to block the film’s release in exchange for a record deal and a role in a film.
Ms Wilson admits to making some of the social media posts but denies they carry the defamatory meaning alleged by Ms MacInnes.
The trial is due to begin on Monday morning.
More to come …
