Closing Arguments End in MacInnes Defamation Suit vs. Wilson

In Australia's Federal Court in Sydney, closing arguments concluded Friday in a high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by actor Charlotte MacInnes against Rebel Wilson, stemming from social media posts about an alleged sexual harassment complaint on the set of Wilson's directorial debut film, The Deb.

MacInnes, 27, who starred as a lead in the musical comedy about two Australian teenagers at a debutante ball, accuses Wilson of defaming her in Instagram stories posted between September 2024 and July last year. The posts claimed MacInnes confided in Wilson during pre-production that producer Amanda Ghost had asked her to share a shower and bath, making her feel uncomfortable, but later retracted the complaint to advance her career. MacInnes denies ever making or withdrawing such a complaint.

The incident in question occurred on September 5, 2023, after Ghost suffered an allergic reaction, breaking out in hives and shaking uncontrollably following a swim at Bondi Beach. Ghost and MacInnes, both in swimwear, then shared a bath at their rented Bondi apartment. Ghost's assistant was present but did not testify. Wilson texted Ghost days later that MacInnes viewed the situation as...