Actor Rebel Wilson Cleared of Defaming Colleague in Social Media Posts A Sydney court ruled on Wednesday that Australian actor Rebel Wilson did not defame her colleague Charlotte MacInnes in a series of social media posts, dismissing allegations that the posts breached MacInnes’ confidence or caused reputational harm. The decision, handed down by Federal Court Judge Elizabeth Raper, concluded that Wilson’s statements did not meet the legal threshold for defamation. The dispute stemmed from an incident in September 2023, when MacInnes and a film producer from Wilson’s directorial debut The Deb went swimming at Bondi Beach and later bathed together. Wilson later posted on Instagram that MacInnes had initially complained to her about feeling uncomfortable during the incident but later changed her account. MacInnes’ legal team argued that four posts, published between September 2024 and July 2025, were defamatory or violated her privacy. Judge Raper’s written judgment, released after the verdict, stated that the posts did not convey inherently serious or defamatory meaning. She emphasized that there was no evidence the publications harmed MacInnes’ reputation, noting, “There is no evidence of the actual impact of the publication on Ms MacInnes’ reputation.” The court also rejected claims that the posts breached confidentiality, ruling that the statements were not made in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted as exposing private information. MacInnes’ legal team confirmed plans to appeal the decision, though the exact timeline for the appeal was not disclosed. The case has drawn attention to the complexities of online speech and privacy in the entertainment industry, particularly when public figures engage in personal disputes.#rebel_wilson #charlotte_macinnes #the_deb #bondi_beach #federal_court_judge_elizabeth_raper
