In a Sydney court ruling on 22 July 2026, Justice Elizabeth Rapier cleared Rebel Wilson of the defamation claims lodged by Charlotte MacInnes, the young Australian actress who appeared in Wilson’s 2024 film The Deb. MacInnes had sued Wilson after the latter posted digressive Instagram comments in 2024 and 2025, accusing her of retracting a sexual‑harassment allegation against a film producer in order to advance her career. Wilson’s supporters argued that their customer‑oriented posts were merely a criticism, while MacInnes’ lawyers labeled them “malicious concoctions.”
The court examinated the back‑story of a July 2023 bath incident at Bondi Beach. Both MacInnes and Amanda Ghost, a co‑producer in Wilson’s film, had a brief, private bathing session following a cold‑water experience. Wilson, who claimed the event had occurred the following day, later reached out to Ghost to clarify that MacInnes said she was “uncomfortable” with the situation, although Ghost denied that the matter translated into a claim of harassment.
Judge Raper concluded that the alleged claim of MacInnes changing her narrative did not amount to defamatory imputations, as the court found no evidence that the comments would “cause or be likely to cause serious harm.” She also remarked that the “circumstance surrounding how they came to be in the bath” was “unusual” and therefore did not establish a basis for harm. Consequently, MacInnes was directed to pay Wilson’s legal costs.
On the same day, Wilson posted on Instagram, thanking “supporters” and affirming her commitment to “standing up for what I believe is right.” She expressed respect for the Australian legal system and for the judge’s decision. MacInnes, until now, has declined to comment publicly.
The case underscores the growing scrutiny of public allegations made on social media, especially within the entertainment sector. It also shows how courts weigh the impact of online statements against a person’s reputation, considering context, intent, and potential damage. Stakeholders in film and media will likely study the verdict when evaluating both defensive and offensive strategies for reputational disputes.
