REBEL Wilson was branded a “bully” as she faced off against actress Charlotte MacInnes in a Sydney courtroom over damaging Instagram posts.
The Pitch Perfect star stands accused of defamation after alleging MacInnes was sexually harassed by The Deb producer Amanda Ghost and that the two conspired to cover it up.
The dispute centres on a 2023 incident when MacInnes and Ghost bathed together after a Bondi Beach swim, with Ghost suffering a rare allergic reaction known as cold urticaria.
Wilson claimed MacInnes told her she felt uncomfortable during the bathing and later withdrew her complaint after career offers from Ghost, a claim MacInnes denies.
MacInnes’s lawyer Sue Chrysanthou told the court, “Ms Wilson was not a whistleblower who was seeking to protect a young actress,” but rather used the allegations as leverage in contract disputes.
Wilson’s legal team insists the key issue is whether MacInnes reported discomfort during the bathing and if her story changed after receiving opportunities linked to Ghost.
The trial, expected to last nine days and streamed on YouTube, also involves defamation claims from Ghost and Deb producers Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden, who accuse Wilson of fabricating harassment and embezzlement claims.
Last week, a Los Angeles judge rejected Wilson’s bid to dismiss the case via an anti-SLAPP motion.
Wilson’s courtroom battle continues to attract attention as both sides dig in over the explosive allegations.