Warning: This article contains allegations of sexual harassment which some readers may find distressing.
Rebel Wilson has spoken out after being sued by her co-star.
The Pitch Perfect star’s directorial debut has been clouded in controversy, having been in a legal battle with the film’s producers since last year.
And Wilson reported that The Deb’s lead star, Charlotte MacInnes, was sexually harassed on set.
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However, the actor issued a notice to her in August, threatening legal action against her in Australia. MacInnes’ lawyers indicated their intentions to sue Wilson for defamation, following her making claims on Instagram.
In July 2024, the Bridesmaids actor claimed that producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden were attempting to prevent The Deb from world premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and on social media accused them of ‘bad behaviour’ on set. The trio later also filed a defamation suit against her.
MacInnes’ claims
In Wilson’s counter-complaint to the producers, she alleged that Ghost sexually harassed MacInnes, allegedly causing her to ‘suffer a breakdown’.
She is said to have posted on her Instagram Stories: “When an actress on her first feature film is asked by a producer to stay in the same apartment as them, and then makes a complaint to me as the director saying said producer ‘asked her to have a bath and shower with her and it made her feel uncomfortable’ – what am I supposed to do? Of course I reported it. There is no world where this is acceptable.”
However, in the concerns notice, MacInnes denies making these alleged claims and says they are ‘false and seriously defamatory’. It was claimed that Wilson knew them to be false as the film’s star gave a statement to the Daily Mail last year to say there ‘was no truth to them’.
MacInnes is said to have described the allegedly fabricated claims as ‘completely false and absurd’.
Wilson’s response
Wilson appeared on 60 Minutes Australia yesterday (23 November), where she said she felt that in her ‘position as director’, she ‘had to report’ the alleged wrongdoings.
It is reported that Ghost said she had a medical reaction to cold water on set, with MacInnes and an assistant taking her home. Here, both the actor and producer allegedly warmed up in hot water together.
Wilson claimed the star came to her and allegedly said: “Amanda Ghost asked me to [take] a bath and shower with her, and it made me feel really uncomfortable.”
The director said she was ‘100 percent’ sure MacInnes said this as she added: “She came to me, she made what I obviously inferred as a sexual harassment complaint, and I had a duty to then act on it.”
The host asked Wilson why she doesn’t believe the actor’s fresh claims and she responded: “I think, when it gets into the details in court, I don't think anyone in their right mind believes that a medical incident occurred and Amanda Ghost needed the body warmth of an actress to save her life. It's just not credible.”
LADbible Group has contacted representatives for MacInnes and Ghost for comment.
If you’ve experienced sexual or street harassment, you’re not alone — and support is available. You can call Victim Support for free, 24/7 on 08 08 16 89 111, or use their Live Chat service at www.victimsupport.org.uk.
Topics: Rebel Wilson, Celebrity News, Celebrity, Australia
Jess Battison