In a shocking twist to an ongoing multimillion-dollar defamation case, young Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes has alleged that Rebel Wilson fabricated sexual assault accusations against her on the set of their film The Deb. The explosive claims, detailed in documents filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, paint a disturbing picture of bullying, harassment, and false allegations that could rock the entertainment industry.
MacInnes: “Wilson Made Up Lies About Me”
According to the court filings, MacInnes alleges that Wilson repeatedly claimed one of the film’s producers, Amanda Ghost, sexually harassed and abused her, even after MacInnes explicitly told Wilson no such misconduct had occurred. In her declaration, MacInnes states:
I was deeply disturbed by this behaviour, and felt very bullied and harassed by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me.
Nothing that I told Wilson could reasonably have conveyed that I was reporting any misconduct, because there was no misconduct.
– Charlotte MacInnes
The young actor goes on to vehemently deny Wilson’s alleged claims that she was subjected to “depraved sexual demands” and held “captive” by Ghost and her husband, producer Gregor Cameron, calling the statements “completely false and absurd.” MacInnes asserts she has no idea what could have motivated Wilson and her attorney to “make up such lies” about her.
Defamation Case Takes Dramatic Turn
The alleged sexual misconduct is just one of several serious accusations at the heart of the defamation case, in which The Deb‘s producers are suing Wilson for statements she made on Instagram and in court declarations. Wilson, who has over 11 million Instagram followers, has also accused Ghost and Cameron of embezzling $900,000 of the film’s funding, along with various other claims of bullying and unlawful imprisonment.
In a surprising move, Wilson is countersuing and seeking to strike the defamation claims against her using California’s anti-SLAPP laws, which are designed to protect free speech on matters of public interest. However, lawyers for the producers argue that Wilson’s declarations contain “multiple blatant falsehoods” that rise to the level of “outright perjury” and that the dispute is a private business matter, not a public issue.
Threats, Credit Disputes, and Mysterious Websites
The recently filed documents also shed light on the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding The Deb‘s writing credits. Statements allege that Wilson threatened the film’s writer, Hannah Reilly, after she refused to grant Wilson writing credits. Wilson, who had awarded Reilly a scholarship through the Australian Theatre for Young People, allegedly warned that pursuing arbitration would put Reilly at “significant financial risk” and “destroy any remaining relationship or support” she would receive from Wilson and her industry associates.
Furthermore, the producers’ lawyers have requested a 90-day stay in proceedings to investigate the source of an anonymous website containing “grotesque lies” about Ghost. The website, registered just days after Wilson allegedly sent threatening emails about “going public” to “very publicly ruin” the producers, has added another layer of intrigue to an already complex case.
Legal Showdown Looms
As the Los Angeles Superior Court prepares to hear Wilson’s anti-SLAPP motion and the producers’ request for a stay in proceedings on November 21, the entertainment world will be watching closely. With both sides’ legal bills potentially running into the millions and reputations on the line, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the industry.
The allegations made by Charlotte MacInnes have added a new dimension to an already explosive legal battle, raising questions about the power dynamics and potential for abuse on film sets. As the truth behind these claims is dissected in court, it remains to be seen how this dramatic showdown will unfold and what impact it will have on the careers of those involved.
For now, the film industry and the public alike are left to grapple with the disturbing possibility that a prominent figure like Rebel Wilson could have used her influence to bully and harass a young co-star, making up devastating false allegations in the process. As the legal proceedings move forward, many will be closely following this case, hoping for a just resolution and a reckoning for any wrongdoing that may have occurred behind the scenes of The Deb.
