Rebel Wilson defamation lawsuit closing arguments heard in Sydney Federal Court

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• “Complete Revision of History”: Wilson Accused of Dishonesty
• The Bathtub Incident: Medical Emergency, Not Misconduct
• Damage to MacInnes’s Life: Career Stalled and Mental Health Harmed
• Wilson’s Defense: “Stratospheric” Career Jump Proves Motive to Lie
• When Will Justice Elizabeth Raper Deliver Her Verdict?
  • Sources

Hollywood heavyweight Rebel Wilson faced blistering attacks in Sydney Federal Court on Friday, May 8. Her plaintiff’s lawyer branded her a “fantastical liar” in explosive closing arguments. The high-stakes defamation battle over her film “The Deb” neared its conclusion after three weeks of testimony.

“Complete Revision of History”: Wilson Accused of Dishonesty

Sue Chrysanthou SC, representing Charlotte MacInnes, delivered scathing closing remarks. She accused Rebel Wilson of rewriting facts and concealing key evidence throughout the trial. The barrister said Wilson “made up” allegations about film production woes, including claims about blocked release dates and budget disputes.

Chrysanthou detailed inconsistencies in Wilson’s testimony that were “discredited by other witnesses.” She argued Wilson lied to producer Amanda Ghost to create division between her and MacInnes. The court heard that Wilson’s claims evolved multiple times, shifting MacInnes’s characterization from “victim” to “sex slave” to “money grubber.”

The Bathtub Incident: Medical Emergency, Not Misconduct

The entire case centers on September 2023 when MacInnes and Ghost shared a bath after Ghost suffered an allergic reaction at Bondi Beach. Ghost broke out in red welts and shaking uncontrollably from cold water exposure. Both women wore swimsuits, and a witness provided hot drinks while sitting nearby. No one felt uncomfortable, Chrysanthou insisted.

Wilson claimed MacInnes told her the incident was uncomfortable and sexually inappropriate. But Chrysanthou argued Wilson “fabricated” this complaint out of thin air. She presented a text message where Wilson told Ghost that MacInnes “just meant ‘it was a bizarre situation'” rather than an uncomfortable one. This contradiction, the barrister argued, proved Wilson invented the sexual harassment angle.

Damage to MacInnes’s Life: Career Stalled and Mental Health Harmed

Aspect	Impact Details
Professional Work	No acting roles since appearing in The Great Gatsby stage production
Mental Health	Unable to eat, sleep, distressed by Wilson’s actions and posts
Online Abuse	Attacked and maligned on social media due to Wilson’s Instagram campaign
Psychological Toll	Fear of Wilson’s next move and media scrutiny

Chrysanthou painted a devastating picture of MacInnes’s suffering. After Wilson’s Instagram posts in 2024 and 2025 accused her of retracting a harassment claim for career benefits, MacInnes’s reputation crumbled. She described her client as unable to work, sleep, or eat. “My client has been unable to eat, unable to sleep, has been distressed…fears what Rebel Wilson will do next,” Chrysanthou said.

“She cannot be believed on any word she says. She is a fantastical liar who has made up terrible, terrible allegations about multiple people and her own witnesses have discredited her.”

— Sue Chrysanthou SC, MacInnes’s barrister

Wilson’s Defense: “Stratospheric” Career Jump Proves Motive to Lie

Dauid Sibtain SC, Wilson’s lawyer, offered a different narrative on Friday afternoon. He argued it would be “preposterous” for Wilson to fabricate a complaint about MacInnes. Doing so would have hurt his client’s own directorial debut by creating conflict on set. Sibtain claimed MacInnes changed her story purely for professional gain.

Sibtain highlighted MacInnes’s “remarkable” career trajectory after the incident. She secured a major record deal with Warner Music, international travel opportunities, and expanded acting roles. From an unknown amateur actress, she became an international recording artist almost overnight. Sibtain insisted MacInnes’s sudden success proved she had a motive to downplay the bathtub incident in exchange for professional benefits.

When Will Justice Elizabeth Raper Deliver Her Verdict?

Justice Elizabeth Raper is now considering three weeks of evidence, witness testimony, and competing legal arguments. She has not yet indicated when her decision will be announced. The court is expected to “reserve its decision,” meaning she will take time to write a comprehensive judgment. This high-profile case has already drawn comparisons to other entertainment industry defamation battles.

Rebel Wilson currently faces two additional legal cases in Australia and one in the United States, all brought by producers of “The Deb,” including Amanda Ghost. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching consequences for the actress’s reputation in Hollywood and beyond.

Sources

• ABC News (Australia) – Comprehensive coverage of Federal Court closing arguments and witness testimony
• BBC News – International coverage of defamation case and court proceedings
• The Guardian – Detailed reporting on plaintiff’s barrister statements and legal arguments