SYDNEY — Actress Rebel Wilson gave evidence on Tuesday in a defamation case brought against her by Charlotte MacInnes at the federal court in Sydney. Wilson entered the court on Tuesday morning before taking the witness stand and is expected to continue giving evidence on Wednesday.

The suit relates to four social media posts Wilson made in 2024 and 2025. MacInnes, who stars in Wilson's directorial debut The Deb, alleges Wilson called her a liar for complaining about sexual harassment by producer Amanda Ghost and then recanted the allegation to further her career. MacInnes says she never made a sexual harassment complaint against Ghost. She is suing for aggravated damages and to prevent Wilson from repeating certain claims online.

The incident at the heart of the case dates back to September 2023, when MacInnes and Ghost went to Bondi Beach for a late afternoon swim. Ghost had an allergic reaction to cold water, known as cold urticaria, which caused red welts and uncontrollable shaking. After the swim, MacInnes ran a hot bath for Ghost at Ghost's beachside apartment, where Ghost had already taken a shower, and the two shared the bath in swimsuits. Ghost's assistant brought hot drinks and the three chatted briefly in the bathroom.

Both sides agree Wilson later spoke to MacInnes about the bath but dispute the content. Wilson said MacInnes told her the incident had made her feel uncomfortable, while MacInnes testified she described it as weird or strange and bizarre, and told the court Wilson had mischaracterised and exploited an innocent incident. In a text message to Ghost, Wilson wrote, "Charlotte says all good. She just meant 'it was a bizarre situation' not that she personally felt uncomfortable."

Prosecutors asked Wilson if she saw herself as a "champion of women" and she answered yes. She told the court that making public negative statements about women on social media could not be defined as mistreatment because they were truthful. Under questioning, she said she could not remember various details of the case, including the backlash in 2018 when she made comments about being the "first ever plus-sized girl" to star in a romantic comedy. She denied any involvement in websites that spread rumours about Ghost and MacInnes. When prosecutors labelled her a liar, she called the accusation "outrageous" and said, "That's absolute nonsense."

Sue Chrysanthou SC, acting for MacInnes, said Wilson shared social media posts describing them as "slagging off" MacInnes instead of checking on her. "This is how this bully, apparently this saviour of women, the protector of the harassed, responds," Chrysanthou said. Ghost gave evidence in the case last week.