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Intriguing developments are unfolding in a high-profile defamation case, as attention turns to malicious websites that have targeted Rebel Wilson, the star and producer of her directorial debut.
Rebel Wilson, known for her role in “Pitch Perfect,” took on multiple roles including director, co-producer, and actress for “The Deb,” a musical comedy based in rural New South Wales. However, the film’s release was delayed for two years due to legal challenges.
The lead actor of the film, Charlotte MacInnes, has initiated a lawsuit against Wilson. The suit concerns social media posts where Wilson allegedly claimed that MacInnes expressed discomfort with co-producer Amanda Ghost.
MacInnes refutes these claims, insisting she never voiced such complaints to Wilson. She argues that Wilson’s insinuations have damaged her reputation, particularly the suggestion that MacInnes retracted supposed comments in exchange for a leading role and a record deal.
These accusations have been further complicated by defamatory websites that have launched attacks against Amanda Ghost, accusing her of serious offenses such as being involved in sex trafficking.
Wilson directed a US publicist to publish the websites and then shared links with associates of Ghost and MacInnes, the younger actor claims.
But the Bridesmaids actor denies any involvement in creating the websites and says there is no evidence to support the allegation.
The question of attribution will be explored in the Federal Court when former The Agency Group employee Katie Case testifies on the second day of the defamation hearing on Tuesday.
Text messages tendered to the court appear to reveal her role in creating the smear websites while working for the PR firm under The Agency Group founder Melissa Nathan.
In the messages sent on August 6, 2024, Ms Nathan tells her employee Wilson wants one of “those sites”.
“It can be really really harsh … making her a madam basically lol,” she instructed, per the court documents.
“Oh my god lol ok this one will be fun,” Ms Case replied after promising to pull it together.
MacInnes claims the PR firm was acting on behalf of Wilson when it published the websites detailing shocking allegations.
A document containing many of the allegations published on the website was created under the name of Wilson’s company, according to MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC.
Wilson’s insistence she had nothing to do with the smear websites “beggars belief”, she said.
But it was possible someone acting on Wilson’s behalf had engaged the firm in hopes of securing a more favourable narrative, her barrister Dauid Sibtain SC argued.
The texts between third parties don’t prove the Hollywood actor played a role in creating the websites and mere mentions of her name couldn’t support that proposition, he said.
“The websites are a distraction,” Mr Sibtain told the court.
“They are not really about the critical issue in this case … (which) is that Ms MacInnes did in fact make a complaint to Ms Wilson.”
Wilson and MacInnes are expected to attend court separately on Tuesday after avoiding eye contact on the first day of the proceedings.
The Deb was released earlier in April in Australia after legal issues prevented its widespread release following its 2024 premiere.
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