Defamation Trial of Rebel Wilson and Charlotte MacInnes Centers on Disputed Complaint and Social Media Post

Apr 24, 2026, 09:34

Introduction

A defamation trial in the Federal Court of Australia involves actor Rebel Wilson and lead actress Charlotte MacInnes. The case started after Wilson posted on social media that MacInnes had made and then withdrawn a sexual harassment complaint against film producer Amanda Ghost. The trial has included testimony from MacInnes and Ghost, as well as a controversial Instagram post by Wilson''s wife.

Main Body

The dispute began on September 5, 2023, when Ghost had a medical reaction to cold water after swimming at Bondi Beach. MacInnes helped Ghost to their shared apartment, and both women, wearing swimwear, got into a bath to warm Ghost. MacInnes testified that she did not feel uncomfortable and did not make a complaint to Wilson. However, Wilson claimed that MacInnes complained the next day that Ghost''s request to bathe together made her uncomfortable. Wilson further alleged that MacInnes later withdrew that complaint to protect her career opportunities. MacInnes denied this. Text messages from Wilson to Ghost on September 7, 2023, showed that Wilson relayed that MacInnes said "all good" and described the situation as "bizarre," not uncomfortable. Ghost expressed relief. In July 2024, Wilson posted Instagram stories accusing Ghost of misconduct toward the lead actress. She later tried to create a website alleging that Ghost recruited young women. MacInnes sued for defamation over four Instagram stories posted between September 2024 and July 2025. Wilson''s defense is that her statements are true. During the trial, on Friday, Wilson''s wife Ramona Agruma-Wilson posted an Instagram story showing the forgetful fish Dory from Finding Nemo with text about short-term memory loss. MacInnes testified that she felt the post mocked her evidence. Wilson''s barrister described it as a harmless reference. MacInnes''s barrister argued that it is relevant to the question of aggravated damages. Ghost testified that she was initially shocked by Wilson''s claim but relieved by the text clarification. She denied calling MacInnes a liar. The trial continues.

Conclusion

The trial is ongoing. The main factual disputes are whether MacInnes made a complaint and later withdrew it, and what the Instagram post by Wilson''s wife means. The court will decide if Wilson''s statements were defamatory and whether the defense of truth applies.

Vocabulary Learning

alleged
Claimed to be true without proof; asserted but not yet proven聲稱的（未經證實）
Example:Wilson alleged that MacInnes made a sexual harassment complaint.
defamation
The act of making false statements that harm someone's reputation誹謗行為
Example:MacInnes sued for defamation over four Instagram stories.
sued
To take legal action against someone in a court of law起訴
Example:MacInnes sued for defamation over four Instagram stories.
testimony
A formal statement given in court under oath證詞
Example:The trial has included testimony from MacInnes and Ghost.
withdrew
Past tense of withdraw; to take back or remove a statement or complaint撤回（過去式）
Example:Wilson alleged that MacInnes later withdrew that complaint to protect her career.

Sentence Learning

MacInnes sued for defamation over four Instagram stories posted between September 2024 and July 2025.
The phrase "posted between ..." is a past participle phrase acting as an adjective to describe "stories". It is a reduced relative clause (which were posted). This structure allows the writer to give additional information about the stories without using a full clause, making the sentence more concise.「posted between...」是過去分詞短語，用作形容詞修飾「stories」。這是縮減的關係子句（which were posted）。這種結構讓作者無需使用完整子句即可提供關於故事的額外資訊，使句子更簡潔。
Wilson's wife Ramona Agruma-Wilson posted an Instagram story showing the forgetful fish Dory from Finding Nemo with text about short-term memory loss.
The present participle phrase "showing ..." acts as an adjective modifying "story". It is a reduced relative clause (which showed). This structure adds descriptive detail efficiently.現在分詞短語「showing...」用作形容詞修飾「story」。這是縮減的關係子句（which showed）。這種結構能有效地添加描述性細節。
Ghost testified that she was initially shocked by Wilson's claim but relieved by the text clarification.
This sentence uses passive voice ("was shocked", "was relieved") to focus on Ghost's feelings rather than who caused them. The conjunction "but" shows contrast between her initial shock and later relief. The structure organizes the sequence of emotions clearly.此句使用被動語態（「was shocked」、「was relieved」）來強調Ghost的感受而非造成感受的人。連詞「but」顯示她最初震驚與後來寬慰之間的對比。這種結構清晰地組織了情緒的順序。
However, Wilson claimed that MacInnes complained the next day that Ghost's request to bathe together made her uncomfortable.
"However" is a linking adverb that signals contrast with previous information. The sentence contains two "that" clauses: the first is a noun clause as object of "claimed", the second is a noun clause as object of "complained". This structure allows the writer to report multiple layers of reported speech clearly.「However」是連接副詞，表示與先前資訊的對比。句子包含兩個「that」子句：第一個是名詞子句作為「claimed」的受詞，第二個是名詞子句作為「complained」的受詞。這種結構讓作者清晰地報告多層次的轉述言語。
Wilson further alleged that MacInnes later withdrew that complaint to protect her career opportunities.
"Further" is a linking word indicating addition. The sentence uses an infinitive of purpose ("to protect") to explain the reason for the withdrawal. The structure connects the action (withdrew) with its motive, making the logic explicit.「Further」是連接詞，表示補充。句子使用不定詞表示目的（「to protect」）來解釋撤回的原因。這種結構將行動（withdrew）與其動機聯繫起來，使邏輯清晰。