Hollywood star Rebel Wilson appeared in a Sydney courtroom on Monday to defend herself against defamation claims brought by fellow Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes. MacInnes, who stars in Wilson's directorial debut The Deb, alleges that Wilson made defamatory statements about her in a series of Instagram posts published in 2024 and 2025.
The BBC's Katy Watson reports that the case centers on the online posts, which MacInnes claims harmed her reputation. Wilson, known for her roles in Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, took the stand to argue that her statements were not defamatory and were protected as opinion or fair comment.
During the hearing, Wilson's legal team presented evidence that the posts did not meet the legal threshold for defamation under Australian law. MacInnes's lawyers countered, arguing that the posts were malicious and caused significant damage to her career. The trial is expected to continue for several days, with both sides calling witnesses to testify.
The case has garnered significant media attention, given Wilson's international fame and the high-stakes nature of defamation disputes in Australia, where courts have historically awarded large damages in such cases.