LONDON, April 30 — Actor and filmmaker Rebel Wilson has denied allegations that she deliberately disposed of her phone to conceal evidence in an ongoing legal dispute linked to her film The Deb.
Wilson is currently facing a defamation lawsuit brought by actress Charlotte MacInnes, who claims she was portrayed unfairly on social media in relation to a reported workplace incident connected to the production.
Phone Evidence Dispute
During court proceedings, Wilson rejected suggestions that she intentionally discarded her mobile phone to avoid handing over messages relevant to the case.
She described the allegation as “absolutely outrageous,” stating instead that the device had been stolen while she was in London.
Wilson told the court that some communications were lost because she had not backed up the device at the time.
Claims Around Workplace Conduct
The case centers on allegations involving statements made by Wilson about MacInnes and a reported incident involving a film co-producer in 2023.
Wilson said she understood the situation to be a complaint related to workplace behavior and described her reaction at the time as surprise.
Court documents indicate that Wilson believed MacInnes had raised concerns about the situation, which influenced her interpretation of events.
Text Messages Examined
The court also examined a 2023 exchange between the two women, including a message from Wilson criticizing MacInnes for not responding to professional communication.
Lawyers for MacInnes argued the message could be interpreted as inappropriate or overly forceful in tone.
Wilson disputed that characterization, telling the court she did not believe a single message could reasonably be described as bullying.
Film at Center of Dispute
The legal dispute is linked to The Deb, Wilson’s directorial debut, based on a stage musical by Hannah Reilly and Megan Washington.
The film premiered as the closing-night selection at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024.
Ongoing Proceedings
The case remains ongoing, with further hearings expected as both sides continue to present evidence and testimony.
Wilson has not been found liable for any wrongdoing, and the allegations remain subject to legal determination.
The case adds to growing scrutiny around workplace communications and public statements in the entertainment industry, where legal disputes increasingly intersect with social media narratives.
