Rebel Wilson has been described as a “fantastical liar” in the closing arguments of an explosive defamation trial over The Deb, her directorial debut.
Wilson is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes, The Deb‘s lead actress. MacInnes claims Wilson tarnished her reputation by alleging that she had made a sexual harassment complaint against The Deb producer Amanda Ghost, then later walked back her concerns to the benefit of her career.
Wilson insists that MacInnes told her that an incident in September 2023, during which MacInnes and Ghost shared a bath in swimsuits, had made the young actress uncomfortable.
In final statements at a court in Sydney, Australia, on Friday, MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou accused Wilson of a “complete revision of history,” arguing that the Pitch Perfect star is a “fantastical liar who has made up terrible, terrible allegations about other people.”
She added that MacInnes has suffered harm as a result of the events on The Deb and lives in fear of Wilson. “My client has been unable to eat, unable to sleep, has been distressed … (she) fears what Rebel Wilson is going to do to her next,” Chrysanthou said, according to Australian Associated Press.
Dauid Sibtain, Wilson’s barrister, told the court that the idea his client would fabricate an allegation against her own lead actress was “preposterous.” He said the argument makes “no sense” and “no good reason” had been advanced by MacInnes.
Sibtain added that MacInnes’ career had gone “stratospheric” since walking back her alleged complaint against Ghost. This has included being cast in a Ghost-produced Gatsby stage show and landing a record deal with Warner Music.
“That must have been a motivation in her mind for the change,” Sibtain said. “It is remarkable to see someone … fresh out of having performed a small part in a stage show launching straight into international travel between London, Cannes, Italy, and Los Angeles, it’s quite remarkable.”
Justice Elizabeth Raper will now consider her verdict.
