Rebel Wilson has been accused of being a “bully” in her defamation court battle with “The Fat” actress Charlotte McInnes.
On Monday, the Pitch Perfect actress arrived at a Sydney courthouse to meet McInnes, who has accused Wilson of damaging her character, alleging that she was sexually harassed by The Fat producer Amanda Ghost, and of conspiring to cover up the incident.
Back in 2023, Ghost and McInnes took a bath together at their Sydney apartment after swimming at Bondi Beach.
McInnes’ lawyer, Sue Crisanteau, said Ghost suffered from cold urticaria, a rare condition that causes an allergic reaction to cold, according to the Cleveland Clinic, after swimming.
Ghost, who was wearing clothes, was shivering uncontrollably and broke out in hives, and McInnes, who was also wearing a bathing suit, helped her return to her apartment and they took a bath together to warm up.
Ms. Wilson later claimed that Mr. McInnes told her that he felt uncomfortable while bathing. She also claimed that McInnes dropped the charges after Ghost offered her a career opportunity, but McInnes denied this claim.
According to McInnes, Wilson allegedly made defamatory posts on Instagram, including one from September 2024 in which the “Brides Hard” actress claimed McInnes changed her story after she received a record deal and appeared in a stage show from Ghost.
Chrisantou said in court Monday that Wilson was a “bully” who “slandered” the “North Shore” alum on Instagram.
“Ms. Wilson was not a whistleblower trying to protect a young actress,” Crisantou said in court.
Mr Chrysantou also claimed Mr Wilson, 46, used Mr McInnes as “leverage” to voice his concerns during a dispute with producers over the 2024 musical comedy’s “budget and contract”.
But Wilson’s lawyer, Dawid Sibtein, said: “The central question in this case…is whether Ms. McInnes reported to Ms. Wilson that Mr. Ghost had asked her to shower and bathe with him, whether she said it made her feel uncomfortable, and whether she later changed her story.”
Ms Sibtein also claimed that Ms McInnes had been “determined to associate herself with Ms Ghost” after the bathing incident and was full of “rich prizes and opportunities”.
Wilson’s trial is scheduled to last nine days and will be streamed on YouTube.
The comedian is also being sued for defamation by Ghost and Fat producers Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden.
In 2024, producers claimed Wilson fabricated stories about them regarding harassment and embezzlement. Last week, a Los Angeles judge denied Wilson’s anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss.
