Rebel Wilson recently won her high-profile Federal Court defamation battle against Charlotte MacInnes, the young star of her directorial debut, “The Deb.”
However, the last has not been heard of the case, as MacInnes filed a notice of appeal on Thursday.
Wilson isn’t leaving the case unscathed, either, as it left her public persona as a truth teller severely bruised.
Over the last two years, Rebel Wilson has been involved in a nasty legal battle with Charlotte MacInnes, the actress who played the lead role in her directorial debut, “The Deb.”
The situation stemmed from a September 2023 incident involving MacInnes and the film’s co-producer, Amanda Ghost, at a Bondi Beach apartment, per The Guardian.
Wilson alleged that MacInnes confided in her that she felt uncomfortable when Ghost asked her to join her in the bath. The “Bridesmaids” actress also alleged that MacInnes retracted her complaint about Ghost in exchange for career advancement.
However, the younger actress vehemently denied making a sexual harassment complaint or lying to advance her career, leading to the defamation suit. She sued the 46-year-old comedian, alleging that Wilson defamed her in a series of posts published on social media.
Judge Threw Out Defamation Claims
After years of back and forth, Justice Elizabeth Raper ruled in favor of Wilson on the primary defamation allegations, ultimately throwing out the case altogether.
The judge found that the social media posts in question did not defame MacInnes. Raper also found that the young actress did make a complaint about feeling uncomfortable before later walking back the claims.
“MacInnes has failed to establish that the publications have caused or were likely to cause serious harm,” she said.
However, the legal saga between Wilson and MacInnes is far from finished, as the latter filed her notice of appeal on Thursday, just one day after Judge Raper’s ruling.
According to reports in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, MacInnes is asking the Full Court of the Federal Court to rule in her favor. She also wants the court to conduct a fresh trial or have the remaining issues determined by a different judge, as well as overturn the order requiring her to cover Wilson’s legal costs.
The appeal also stated that the judge erred in assessing the meaning and gravity of Wilson’s posts. MacInnes reportedly also raised procedural fairness concerns, claiming that the judge disclosed certain factual findings but did not give her enough time to address them during the trial.
Judge Questioned Wilson’s Credibility
Despite the legal victory, Wilson did not emerge from the case unscathed, as her public reputation as a truth teller took a hit.
Throughout the fiery trial, opposing counsel Sue Chrysanthou SC labeled her a “fantastical liar” and a “bully,” citing testimony that painted her as “very difficult to be around.”
More damaging was the judge’s assessment of her testimony, as Raper noted in her judgment that the actress’s court testimony was “untruthful on occasion, self-serving at times and punctuated with exaggeration.”
“It was my impression from all the evidence Ms. Wilson is known for being outspoken but not necessarily reliable,” Justice Raper wrote in her judgment.
Rebel Wilson Reflects On Grueling Court Fight
Responding to the verdict on Instagram, Wilson said directing the film was her “dream job” and that the legal debacle that followed was “difficult.” She thanked Australia’s legal system, writing that the process had tested her but reinforced her resolve to stand up for her values.
“[The Deb] was my dream job … my directorial debut, a celebration of Australian stories, and something I poured years of passion into alongside an incredible cast and crew,” she wrote. “Seeing that journey disrupted has been incredibly difficult, but I have always believed it was a story worth telling.”
She continued, “This process has taught me a lot. It has tested me, but it has also reinforced something I’ve always believed. I want to live my life standing up for what I believe is right, while continuing to create work that brings people joy.”
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me. 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,” Wilson added. “Thank you to the Judge and the Australian legal system who I have the utmost respect for.”