Australia’s Federal Court dismissed Charlotte MacInnes’ defamation lawsuit against Rebel Wilson, ruling that Wilson’s Instagram posts were not defamatory and that MacInnes failed to prove they caused serious harm to her reputation. The court also ordered MacInnes to pay Wilson’s legal costs.
Details:
- The claim: MacInnes alleged Wilson falsely implied she had altered her account of an alleged sexual harassment complaint to protect her career. Wilson denied making false accusations.
- The ruling: Justice Elizabeth Raper found that the posts did not meet the legal threshold for defamation and that MacInnes failed to establish serious reputational harm.
- The backdrop: The dispute is one of several legal battles tied to The Deb, Wilson’s directorial debut, which has faced multiple claims involving members of its production.
- Next step: Wilson welcomed the decision, while MacInnes’ legal team confirmed it will appeal the ruling.
What to watch?
The appeal will determine whether the ruling stands, as separate legal proceedings connected to The Deb continue in Australia.
