A producer at the crux of an alleged sexual harassment complaint will testify in Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson’s blockbuster defamation battle.
Amanda Ghost co-produced recently released musical comedy film The Deb, which is set in rural NSW and stars emerging Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes.
MacInnes is suing Wilson, the film’s director and co-producer, over social media posts that claimed the young actor reported a sexual harassment complaint and then retracted it to further her career.
The alleged disclosure centres on the aftermath of a medical episode Ms Ghost suffered after swimming in cold water at Bondi Beach in September 2023.
MacInnes helped her back to an apartment they were sharing with others during the pre-production of The Deb and the producer got into a shower to warm up.
The young actor said she got into a bath before being joined by Ms Ghost, both in their swimwear, after a suggestion that a bath would warm her more effectively.
Wilson claims her film’s star had confided she had felt uncomfortable after Ms Ghost requested they shower and bathe together, but MacInnes denies making a complaint.
Ms Ghost will testify about the incident and the fallout in the Federal Court on Friday.
After being informed about the alleged complaint, the producer told a friend she was so angry with MacInnes that she couldn’t look at her, the court was previously told.
When she gave evidence on Thursday, MacInnes recalled feeling confused and deeply distressed that Ms Ghost was keeping her distance.
After she found out the reason for the cold shoulder, the actor said it was important that Ms Ghost knew she had never made a complaint.
“If Amanda believed I made an improper complaint against her, I believe that would have very much harmed our relationship,” she said.
Ms Ghost supported her as she worked hard to achieve a leading role in a stage production and a record deal and she was worried about the possible impact on her career, MacInnes said.
She claims her reputation has been seriously damaged by suggestions in the social media posts that she is untrustworthy and prioritised her career over the 300 cast and crew of The Deb.
“(This is) a malignant allegation against my client that she sold the allegation of sexual harassment in exchange for her own professional and commercial benefit,” her barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC previously said.
But Wilson denies the posts are defamatory and says the young actor’s career has not been adversely affected by the posts.
The key issue is not whether MacInnes was sexually harassed but rather whether she made a complaint and then withdrew it, Wilson’s barrister Dauid Sibtain SC said.
“Our case is that … she changed her story,” he argued during his opening address.
“She did so to ensure her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ms Ghost.”
Wilson will testify on Tuesday.
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