By Blessing Nweke
Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson has dismissed allegations that she bullied women working on her film as “absolute nonsense,” giving evidence for the first time in a closely watched defamation case in Sydney.
Wilson, known for her role in Bridesmaids, is being sued by Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes over a series of Instagram posts made in 2024 and 2025. The dispute centres on claims Wilson made about MacInnes allegedly complaining of sexual harassment by producer Amanda Ghost before later retracting the accusation.
MacInnes denies ever making such a complaint and argues Wilson’s statements damaged her reputation. In court on Tuesday, Wilson maintained she saw herself as a “champion of women” and strongly rejected suggestions she mistreated colleagues on her directorial debut, The Deb.
During a tense cross-examination led by barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, Wilson denied that her public criticism of women on social media amounted to bullying, insisting her statements were truthful. She also said she could not recall several details put to her and denied any involvement in websites allegedly spreading rumours about MacInnes and Ghost.
The case partly revolves around a 2023 incident at Bondi Beach, where Ghost suffered a severe cold reaction after swimming. The court heard MacInnes later assisted her at home, with both women briefly sharing a bath while wearing swimsuits. Accounts differ over whether MacInnes described as uncomfortable or merely unusual.
Text messages shown in court suggested Wilson had earlier told Ghost that MacInnes considered the situation “all good.” MacInnes is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent further statements. Wilson is expected to continue her testimony on Wednesday.
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