The ongoing defamation trial involving Rebel Wilson, who is facing allegations stemming from her directorial debut, “The Deb,” is set to delve deeper on its second day. The film, a musical comedy based in rural New South Wales, had been shelved for two years due to legal issues. The lead actor, Charlotte MacInnes, is suing Wilson, claiming that social media assertions suggested she had expressed discomfort with the film’s co-producer, Amanda Ghost—a claim MacInnes denies.
MacInnes argues that she has suffered harm due to Wilson implying she retracted her statements in exchange for a lead role and a record deal. The trial will examine the role of harmful smear websites that targeted Ghost, alleging she was involved in sex trafficking. MacInnes alleges Wilson instructed a US publicist to create these defamatory sites and shared links with those associated with both herself and Ghost. However, Wilson denies any involvement in the websites’ creation, stating there is no substantial evidence to support such claims.
The Federal Court will hear testimony from Katie Case, a former employee of The Agency Group, who may shed light on the attribution of these allegations. Court documents have revealed text messages suggesting Wilson had requested the creation of damaging websites. Notably, on August 6, 2024, a message from Agency Group founder Melissa Nathan indicated that Wilson desired a harsh smear campaign against Ghost.
MacInnes’s barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, stated that Wilson’s denials about her link to the smear sites are implausible, given that documents detailing the allegations were allegedly produced under Wilson’s company’s name. Meanwhile, Wilson’s defence claims that merely mentioning her does not equate to her directly creating or initiating the websites. Her barrister, Dauid Sibtain SC, argued that these websites distract from the case’s central issue: whether MacInnes indeed made a complaint to Wilson.
Both Wilson and MacInnes are expected to appear separately in court on the next trial day, which comes after a day of tense interactions where they notably avoided eye contact. “The Deb” was eventually released earlier this month in Australia, having faced numerous legal challenges since its premiere in 2024. This trial continues to scrutinise the implications of social media posts and the responsibility of public figures for online narratives.