SEOUL – In a recent legal battle, an Australian court has decided in favor of actress Rebel Wilson, clearing her of any defamation claims made by Charlotte MacInnes, a star in Wilson’s directorial debut, “The Deb.”
The controversy began with social media posts made by Wilson between September 2024 and July 2025. MacInnes claimed that these posts falsely suggested she had retracted a sexual harassment complaint against one of the film’s producers in order to boost her own career.
In her defense, MacInnes denied ever filing such a complaint. However, Justice Elizabeth Raper of the Federal Court of Australia ruled that Wilson’s posts did not defame MacInnes.
The dispute traces back to an incident in September 2023 when MacInnes was seen swimming with the producer at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Following that, they shared a bath at their accommodation. Wilson stated on Instagram that MacInnes confided in her about feeling uncomfortable due to the producer’s advances, yet later claimed she had not made any complaints.
Justice Raper determined that MacInnes did not provide sufficient evidence to show that Wilson’s posts had seriously harmed her reputation or that Wilson had violated any confidentiality. Consequently, the case was dismissed, and MacInnes was ordered to cover the legal costs.
In response to the ruling, Wilson, known for her roles in popular films like “Pitch Perfect” and “Bridesmaids,” expressed her gratitude towards the judge and the Australian legal system through an Instagram post. She referred to the outcome as a “substantial win” and mentioned her eagerness to move forward.
As of now, MacInnes’ legal representatives have not made any public comments regarding the ruling.
“The Deb,” which is a musical comedy focusing on two teenagers preparing for a debutante ball in a small rural town, is set for a U.S. digital release on August 25.
