- An Austrailian court has cleared Rebel Wilson in an Instagram defamation case brought by Charlotte MacInnes.
- Wilson thanked supporters and stated she looks forward to returning to family and work.
Rebel Wilson has emerged victorious in a defamation case brought by Charlotte MacInnes, as an Australian court ruled that Wilson's Instagram posts did not defame MacInnes. The case stemmed from a September 2023 incident at Bondi Beach, where MacInnes and a producer were swimming together.
Judge Elizabeth Raper stated, "I do not accept that the meaning conveyed was inherently serious or of a defamatory nature." She emphasized that MacInnes failed to prove the posts caused serious reputational harm, noting, "There is no evidence of the actual impact of the publication on Ms MacInnes' reputation."
The dispute arose after Wilson posted on Instagram about MacInnes feeling uncomfortable during the beach incident, which MacInnes later disputed. MacInnes claimed that four posts published between September 2024 and July 2025 were defamatory or breached her confidence.
Following the verdict, Wilson expressed gratitude, stating, "I'm grateful this chapter has reached its conclusion and I'm looking forward to getting back to what I love most, my family and my work." She thanked the judge and the Australian legal system for their respect.
MacInnes' legal team has confirmed plans to appeal the decision in the Federal Court of Australia. This case follows Wilson's previous defamation victory in 2017 against a global magazine publisher, which found that articles alleging she was a serial liar had damaged her career.
“Wilson thanked supporters, saying 'I'm grateful this chapter has reached its conclusion' and that she looks forward to family and work. MacInnes' legal team confirmed that an appeal of the Federal Court's decision would be lodged shortly.”
