Rebel Wilson has faced allegations that she made life “nightmarish” for Charlotte MacInnes after accusing The Deb actress of covering up misconduct to further her career.
MacInnes is suing Wilson for defamation in Australia, with details from behind the scenes on The Deb — Wilson’s directorial debut — emerging as part of a federal court trial in Sydney this week.
MacInnes started giving evidence on Wednesday, but her testimony was cut short as the court adjourned for the day. The trial is expected to continue for nine days in total.
Those close to MacInnes have described how Wilson’s Instagram posts and alleged conduct impacted the young actress and singer.
Wilson’s position is that MacInnes was made to feel uncomfortable by The Deb producer Amanda Ghost after they shared a bath in 2023. Wilson has further alleged that MacInnes later withdrew her complaint after being given career opportunities by Ghost. MacInnes denies the claims.
Hannah Reilly, co-writer of The Deb and creator of the original stage show, said that MacInnes told her that the dispute had become an “all-consuming nightmarish force in her life.” She added that MacInnes had become “hardened” by the experience, according to an affidavit seen by Australian Associated Press.
Carlo Boumouglbay, MacInnes’ boyfriend, added in his affidavit that Wilson’s conduct had “deeply wounded” his partner. “She was also fearful because she thought Rebel was monitoring her at all times. She was fearful for her safety and felt vulnerable. Rebel’s posts were really getting to her and breaking her down,” he wrote.
Boumouglbay wrote that MacInnes was fearful that Wilson was “monitoring” her and grew “suspicious” that “Rebel might be spreading misinformation about her and spinning some type of story,” according to his affidavit seen by NewsWire.
The court heard how MacInnes secured a $110,000 record deal in late 2025 with Atlantic Records, owned by Warner Music Group, which is backed by Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries. The Deb producer Ghost is the chair of Access-owned AI Film.
Shoshanna Stone, MacInnes’ manager, told the court that she signed the singer after being informed of her talent by Ghost. Stone rejected suggestions that MacInnes’ upcoming single, due to be released on Thursday, was timed to coincide with the trial.
Dauid Sibtain, Wilson’s barrister, argued MacInnes hadn’t suffered any harm to her career since Wilson’s social media posts from September 2024.
The Deb dispute is playing out across different fronts in Los Angeles and Australia, overshadowing the feel-good movie about outback teens attending a debutante ball. The film was finally released in Australia earlier this month, but it does not yet have a distributor in the U.S.
The case continues. Justice Elizabeth Raper is overseeing the trial.
