Rebel Wilson, the Australian actress known for her roles in popular comedies, took the witness stand on 28 April 2026, in a defamation trial initiated by her co-star Charlotte MacInnes. The case is centred around allegations made by MacInnes, who featured in Wilson’s recent project, *The Deb*, which premiered in Australia earlier this month.
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During the proceedings in Sydney, Wilson firmly rejected claims that she had mistreated women on the set of *The Deb*. The actress described such assertions as “absolute nonsense”, stating that throughout her 25-year career, she had never received complaints about her conduct. MacInnes has accused Wilson of having a detrimental effect on her career due to critical comments shared on social media.
The legal dispute traces back to social media posts Wilson made in 2024 and 2025, in which she alleged that Amanda Ghost, a producer on the film, had sexually harassed MacInnes. Wilson claimed that MacInnes subsequently retracted her allegations to advance her own career, securing a record deal and a prominent role in a theatre production in the process. Both Ghost and MacInnes have denied these accusations.
In response to questions during her testimony, Wilson recalled an incident in which MacInnes expressed discomfort after sharing a bath with Ghost at a Bondi apartment during the film’s production. Wilson conveyed that she interpreted MacInnes’s comments as a potential sexual harassment complaint, stating, “I was pretty shocked by it. I had a friendly, professional relationship with Ms Ghost.”
However, MacInnes has denied that she ever communicated feelings of discomfort related to the bath incident. Describing the event as “innocent”, she characterised her experience as “weird” but not harassment. Legal representatives for MacInnes presented evidence suggesting that Wilson had, in fact, texted Ghost assuring her that MacInnes had no issues regarding the incident.
When pressed by MacInnes’s attorney about whether she regarded herself as a “champion of women”, Wilson affirmed her position. She denied any allegations of bullying or harassment towards MacInnes and other women involved in the film’s production. “That’s absolute nonsense,” she responded when questioned about claims of mistreatment.
The trial also delves into the background of legal disputes surrounding *The Deb*. Initially, in July 2024, Ghost and two other producers associated with the film filed their own defamation suit against Wilson in Los Angeles. This action was prompted by claims that Wilson accused them of trying to sabotage the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as allegations of “bad behavior” on set.
In a twist, Wilson countered with her own lawsuit, alleging the producers had imposed unapproved charges of around 900,000 Australian dollars on themselves. Meanwhile, MacInnes’s lawsuit against Wilson in Australia emerged in August 2025, highlighting the complexities and tensions surrounding the film’s production.
Despite the tumultuous legal landscape, *The Deb* was released in cinemas across Australia on 9 April 2026. However, fans in North America are still awaiting the film’s debut.
As the trial continues, both parties stand firmly by their accounts, with Wilson emphasizing her commitment to treating women well throughout her career. The court proceedings have attracted significant media attention, as both the actress and the allegations of misconduct raise pressing questions about behaviour and accountability within the film industry.
With more testimonies expected in the upcoming days, the legal battle between Wilson and MacInnes reflects broader discussions regarding professional conduct and the treatment of women in the entertainment world. The outcomes may have repercussions not only for those involved but might also influence industry standards moving forward.