Rebel Wilson Faces Court Criticism Over Evidence Handling in Defamation Case
Actress Rebel Wilson has been strongly criticised in court for her handling of evidence in an ongoing defamation lawsuit. The Pitch Perfect star is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor in the musical comedy The Deb, which Wilson directed and premiered on April 9.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
MacInnes initiated legal proceedings in September following a series of Instagram posts by Wilson. In these posts, Wilson accused MacInnes of complaining about unwanted sexual advances by producer Amanda Ghost, and then allegedly lying about the incident to secure a record contract. MacInnes firmly denies that any sexual assault occurred, that she complained to Wilson about it, or that she lied in exchange for a lead role and record deal.
According to MacInnes' statement of claim, Wilson's social media posts damaged her professional reputation and raised doubts about her trustworthiness just before her first lead film role. The posts allegedly portrayed MacInnes as selfishly prioritising her career over the hundreds of cast and crew members who worked on The Deb.
Courtroom Developments
A nine-day hearing began before Justice Elizabeth Raper on Monday. Before any evidence was presented, MacInnes' lawyer Sue Crysanthou SC informed the court that Wilson had failed to provide a series of text messages she was ordered to produce. The court heard allegations that Wilson had redacted her own texts, sent lawyers expired WeTransfer links, and claimed she could not locate certain evidence.
MacInnes is seeking aggravated damages for serious harm caused by the alleged defamation, along with a court order preventing Wilson from repeating the claims online. This follows a case management hearing in March addressing Wilson's ongoing commentary about MacInnes during the legal dispute.
Social Media Controversy
Wilson had posted 23 Instagram stories stating she felt compelled to address the court case due to what she described as a 'bombardment' on her character. In one instance, she falsely implied that a photo of a woman in a sexual position on the floor was MacInnes.
Ms Crysanthou told the court she was seeking orders to prevent Wilson from speaking about the proceedings, her client, or any witnesses. When asked why a simple undertaking wouldn't suffice, she argued that Wilson couldn't be trusted with anything less than a legally binding court order.
'[Wilson has] made her bed when it comes to what she should be allowed to say and not say, and she's put herself in this position,' Ms Crysanthou stated. 'Your Honour should not accept her promise. She has not come to apologise to you, to my client or to the witnesses she maligned.'
Conflicting Arguments
Wilson's barrister Dauid Sibtain SC argued that his client had contractual obligations to promote the film, and any orders preventing her from speaking about MacInnes or producers would hinder those obligations. He suggested that restrictions should only apply to comments directly related to the legal proceedings.
However, Ms Crysanthou countered that this would allow Wilson to make disparaging comments about her client that weren't directly tied to court matters. She referenced Wilson's Wednesday Instagram story, which wasn't specifically about court proceedings but falsely implied the sexual pose photo was MacInnes.
Ms Crysanthou also revealed that Wilson allegedly told journalist Tara Brown that MacInnes was 'part of some giant sex ring' in an unaired portion of a Nine Network interview obtained by subpoena. 'It's a straight-out allegation she made to Tara Brown, and Nine was clever enough not to republish it, but it's a separate allegation to these proceedings that is outrageous,' said Ms Crysanthou.
Broader Legal Context
This defamation case is one of three legal matters involving Wilson. The Deb was a joint production between AI Film and Wilson's company Camp Sugar, with Wilson both directing and starring in the film.
Three of the film's US producers and production company AI Film are seeking damages in the NSW Supreme Court. That lawsuit claims Wilson made false and derogatory statements about the producers, including accusations of inappropriate conduct towards MacInnes.
Wilson previously called her co-producers' Supreme Court action an act of 'spiteful toxic behaviour' in a lengthy Instagram post last year. She described the legal action as 'continued bullying and harassment' from UK financiers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden.
'Contractually, as financiers, they have the power to sell or release/distribute the film,' Wilson wrote. 'They haven't done so. It's been a year since the film has been completed and ready to go in cinemas. Instead, in my opinion they have continued this spiteful toxic behaviour.'
The Supreme Court matter, where Wilson has filed a cross-claim, was listed for a directions hearing on April 10 - the day after the film's release. The ongoing legal battles continue to unfold as both sides present their arguments in court.
