Rebel's fiery defamation fight with co-star extended

MacInnes claims she was defamed by Wilson in social media posts that suggested she was a liar and a sellout who withdrew a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career.

The posts alleged MacInnes confided to Wilson - but later recanted - that she felt uncomfortable when the film's co-producer Amanda Ghost asked to have a shower and a bath together. 

The claim hinges on a medical episode suffered by Ms Ghost at Bondi Beach on September 5, 2023 which led to her sharing a bath with MacInnes in their swimwear to warm up. 

Neither the young actor nor a witness had any concern about what took place and did not consider anything untoward happened, the court was told.

Wilson gave evidence she was shocked by the divulgence and spoke about it that night with The Deb's local producer Greer Simpkin, who she described as very responsible.

But Ms Simpkin told the Federal Court on Friday she hadn't discussed the bath incident with Wilson until a phone call days later. 

She said she didn't become aware of Wilson's claims that MacInnes had reported being uncomfortable until a week after the medical episode when she was dining with Ms Ghost.

"I would have acted on it earlier if I'd known it was uncomfortable," Ms Simpkin said. 

She subsequently orchestrated MacInnes' removal from an apartment where she had been staying with Ms Ghost and another woman during pre-production.

"I asked that the reason be as we discussed that Rebel needs the space by the beach," the local producer texted Ms Ghost.

She then met with MacInnes' agent to ensure the young actor was alright and to reveal the real reason for her eviction.

In an email tendered to the court, the agent reported back to "mend this misunderstanding" and clarify MacInnes had never been uncomfortable around Ms Ghost, whom she idolised. 

Ms Simpkin forwarded the email to Ms Ghost and noted the young actor's version of events was different from those of the producer and another woman who had been present.

"Charlotte is walking back the statement she made to Rebel," she wrote.

"I feel there is some fudging being done by Charlotte."

The local producer said she didn't know now what she meant by "fudging" in the email but she recalled there being differences in the recollections about the bathroom incident. 

Her communications relied on Wilson's insistence that she did not misunderstand MacInnes' disclosure, Ms Simpkin told the court.

"I'm in a tricky situation here," she said. 

"Rebel Wilson is my boss, as is Amanda Ghost. I'm trying to be respectful to both parties".

But the email formally asserted MacInnes wasn't uncomfortable and Ms Simpkin considered that to mean the matter was closed.

She said she didn't receive any communication from MacInnes to the contrary and was taken by surprise when the alleged complaint was re-agitated by Wilson the following month. 

Wilson has rejected accusations she fabricated the sexual harassment complaint or raised it for leverage during her disputes with co-producers rather than out of concern for her co-star. 

She maintains MacInnes "flip flopped" and changed her story in exchange for "huge enticements" including a lead role in a stage production and a record deal. 

The high-profile lawsuit was expected to wrap on Friday but will instead return to court next week for closing arguments.