The Deb actor in feud with Rebel Wilson signed $150,000 record deal, court told

Rebel Wilson arrives at court in Sydney on 20 April. Charlotte MacInnes is suing the actor for defamation. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters View image in fullscreen Rebel Wilson arrives at court in Sydney on 20 April. Charlotte MacInnes is suing the actor for defamation. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters The Deb actor in feud with Rebel Wilson signed $150,000 record deal, court told Wilson is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes over social media posts alleging a sexual harassment complaint Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast An actor accusing Rebel Wilson of damaging her career secured a $150,000 record deal with a publicist representing international superstars amid the feud with Wilson. Charlotte MacInnes is suing the Pitch Perfect actor over social media posts claiming MacInnes complained about feeling uncomfortable after bathing with Wilson’s co-producer on musical film The Deb, Amanda Ghost. MacInnes also alleges the posts – which could be seen by Wilson’s 11 million followers for 24 hours – suggested she had withdrawn the complaint in exchange for plum acting and music opportunities. The actor who plays a lead role in The Deb denies making the complaint to the Bridesmaids actor and says her reputation has been seriously damaged before she could enjoy the benefits of starring in her first feature film. But Wilson’s barrister, Dauid Sibtain SC, argued MacInnes hadn’t suffered any harm to her career at all since the first social media post in September 2024. MacInnes signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in late 2025, her manager Shoshanna Stone told the federal court on Wednesday. The deal provided for two EPs and included an advance worth $US110,000 ($A154,000), she said. Stone’s high-profile clients include Britney Spears, Shakira, Boy George and Alicia Keys. She told the court she signed MacInnes to her roster after being informed of the young actor’s talent by her friend Ghost. The up-and-coming performer’s second single is due to be released on Thursday. Her manager rejected suggestions it had been timed to coincide with the court battle. Hannah Reilly, the co-writer of The Deb, hailed MacInnes as a talented, enthusiastic and bubbly actor who had been irrevocably “hardened” by the social media posts. In an affidavit tendered to the federal court, Reilly wrote MacInnes confided they had taken away some of her innocence and trust in the world. MacInnes said she was experiencing vivid nightmares and panic attacks, and stopped eating for days at a time. “She has expressed to me it has been an all-consuming nightmarish force in her life,” Reilly wrote. She said she observed MacInnes become more armoured as a result of Wilson’s social media posts, which she reported left her with a constant sense of vigilance and anxiety. Before September 2024, she had a reputation as a “bright star in the making”, Reilly wrote in her sworn statement. She thought Wilson’s subsequent social media posts suggested MacInnes was a liar who traded sexual favours to secure a role and a record deal. Wilson denies the posts are defamatory and maintains MacInnes made the complaint before retracting it to ensure her future as a performer by appeasing Ghost. The Deb was released in Australia earlier in April after legal issues prevented widespread release after its 2024 film festival premiere. Explore more on these topics Rebel Wilson Defamation law (Australia) Australian film news Share Reuse this content