Rebel Wilson denies orchestrating Charlotte MacInnes photo hack in defamation trial
Synopsis
Rebel Wilson faced intense courtroom pressure over allegations she orchestrated a cyber attack on Charlotte MacInnes, whose nude photograph was leaked after the Snapchat breach. The denial is part of a broader defamation dispute in Sydney where MacInnes claims Wilson damaged her reputation by falsely alleging she had fabricated harassment complaints. The case highlights power imbalances on film sets and the weaponisation of public platforms in celebrity disputes.
Key Takeaways
Rebel Wilson denied under cross-examination that she orchestrated a Snapchat hack of Charlotte MacInnes in Sydney defamation proceedings.
MacInnes alleged the cyber attack occurred days after she filed her defamation lawsuit in September 2024 , resulting in a nude photograph leak.
Wilson called the accusation "absolutely outrageous," stating she did not arrange anyone to breach the account.
The dispute also centres on a post from The Deb's Instagram account accusing MacInnes of wearing a "culturally inappropriate Indian outfit" at Cannes Film Festival .
MacInnes claims Wilson falsely alleged she had fabricated and then retracted a sexual harassment complaint against producer Amanda Ghost .
Actress and comedian Rebel Wilson has firmly denied allegations that she orchestrated a cyber attack on Charlotte MacInnes, whose nude photograph was leaked following a breach of the young actress's Snapchat account. The denial came during cross-examination in MacInnes's defamation lawsuit against Wilson in Sydney, where the 'Bridesmaids' star faces claims that she damaged MacInnes's reputation by alleging—then retracting—that MacInnes had fabricated a sexual harassment complaint against 'The Deb' producer Amanda Ghost.
The Photo Leak Allegation
In her affidavit, MacInnes alleged that Wilson arranged the Snapchat hack, which resulted in a nude photograph being distributed to her contacts. According to court filings, the cyber attack occurred days after MacInnes filed her defamation lawsuit in September 2024. MacInnes stated in her sworn testimony: "It was completely terrifying and caused me a new kind of anxiety. I was not myself for some time after. I believe that this was orchestrated by Rebel."
Wilson's Courtroom Denial
On her final day in the witness box, Wilson rejected the accusation under questioning from Sue Chrysanthou, MacInnes's barrister. When asked directly if she had arranged the hack, Wilson responded: "That is an absolutely outrageous statement to make in court that I moonlight as a hacker." When pressed further on whether she had engaged anyone to breach the account, Wilson stated simply: "Obviously not."
The Instagram Post Dispute
Chrysanthou also questioned Wilson over a post on The Deb's official Instagram account in which Wilson accused MacInnes of wearing a "culturally inappropriate Indian outfit" while performing on billionaire Len Blavatnik's yacht at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Chrysanthou challenged the characterization of the garment and questioned whether it was appropriate for a director to publicly "attack" a young actress's fashion choices on social media.
Broader Context of the Dispute
The legal battle centres on competing narratives about a sexual harassment complaint. MacInnes alleges that Wilson falsely claimed she had made—then withdrawn—allegations against Ghost, thereby damaging her professional standing. Wilson's directorial debut, 'The Deb', has been entangled in the litigation as the central project around which these disputes have emerged. The case underscores tensions between power dynamics on film sets and the use of public platforms to dispute allegations.
What Comes Next
With Wilson's testimony concluded, the court will now move toward closing arguments. The outcome could have significant implications for both parties' careers and for how similar disputes between filmmakers and actors are adjudicated in the Australian legal system.
Point of View
But the broader narrative—the Instagram post accusing MacInnes of cultural insensitivity, the reputational claims about the harassment complaint—paints a picture of a director leveraging her platform and industry standing against a junior actress. Regardless of the defamation verdict, the case underscores how celebrity litigation increasingly becomes a proxy for settling creative and personal conflicts in the court of public opinion first.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rebel Wilson being accused of in the Sydney defamation case?
Rebel Wilson is accused of orchestrating a cyber attack that led to a nude photograph of Charlotte MacInnes being leaked from her Snapchat account. MacInnes alleges the hack occurred days after she filed her defamation lawsuit against Wilson in September 2024. Additionally, MacInnes claims Wilson damaged her reputation by falsely stating she had made—then retracted—a sexual harassment complaint against 'The Deb' producer Amanda Ghost.
How did Rebel Wilson respond to the hacking allegation in court?
Wilson firmly denied the accusation, calling it "an absolutely outrageous statement to make in court that I moonlight as a hacker." When pressed on whether she had arranged for anyone to hack MacInnes's Snapchat account, Wilson responded, "Obviously not."
What was the Instagram post controversy about?
The Deb's Instagram account posted content in which Wilson accused MacInnes of wearing a "culturally inappropriate Indian outfit" while performing on billionaire Len Blavatnik's yacht at the Cannes Film Festival. MacInnes's barrister challenged this characterization and questioned whether it was appropriate for a director to publicly attack a young actress's fashion choices on social media.
Why is Charlotte MacInnes suing Rebel Wilson?
MacInnes is suing Wilson for defamation in Sydney, claiming that Wilson falsely alleged she had made—and then walked back—a sexual harassment complaint against 'The Deb' producer Amanda Ghost. MacInnes argues this claim damaged her professional reputation and standing in the industry.
What is 'The Deb' and why is it relevant to this case?
'The Deb' is Rebel Wilson's directorial debut film. The project has become central to the legal dispute, as the allegations of sexual harassment and the subsequent reputational claims all centre on events and individuals connected to the production.
