Charlotte MacInnes’s teary court claim about Rebel Wilson

A young actor has choked back tears as she described Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson as “very difficult to deal with” amid a dispute over an alleged sexual harassment complaint.

Charlotte MacInnes felt like she got her big break when she was cast in a musical comedy The DebSet in rural NSW and directed and co-produced by Wilson.

But later she complained Pitch Perfect star over social media posts claiming the young actor had complained about feeling uncomfortable after bathing with co-producer Amanda Ghost in their swimwear.

Wilson’s social media posts suggested MacInnes had unfairly withdrawn the complaint in exchange for a lead role in a stage production and a recording contract, the young actor claims.

“I never made a complaint to Ms Wilson,” MacInnes told the Federal Court on Thursday.

Ms Ghost suffered a medical episode at Bondi Beach on September 5, 2023, and MacInnes helped her back to an apartment they shared with others, the court was told.

In a statement about the incident, MacInnes said she had run a shower for the producer before she and another woman suggested a bath would warm her up more efficiently.

“An innocent incident occurred that Ms. Wilson has since exploited and mischaracterized,” he said.

Wilson’s barrister Dauid Sibtain SC noted she had not discussed her sharing the bath with Ms Ghost, something she had since admitted.

But MacInnes rejected his suggestion that her statement was “false or at least grossly misleading” because of the omission.

MacInnes insisted that she had not told Wilson that the producer had asked her to take a shower and bath with her, and that it had made her feel uncomfortable.

“I never said those words,” she told the court.

She was near tears as she described her struggle to maintain a professional and light-hearted relationship with Wilson in the wake of the allegations.

Asked whether she had been introduced to actors Cate Blanchett and Margot Robbie ‘under suffering’ by Wilson, the young actor said she had tried to keep things light.

“It’s really hard to be around Rebel,” she said, her voice breaking and she blinked back tears.

Instead of having fun, MacInnes said she acted out while the older actress was around.

“I learned how to survive my interactions after hearing what was said about me,” she told the court.

She was deeply saddened when Ms Ghost stopped talking to her after Wilson relayed the alleged complaint, MacInnes said.

She also worried about the impact on her career before the couple reconciled.

The young actor felt her dreams come true when she performed on superyachts and flew in private jets, thanks in part to the support of Ms. Ghost.

She had prioritized meeting Ms. Ghost over attending a theater production with Wilson and other cast members The Deb in May 2023, four months before the alleged bathing incident.

MacInnes did not respond to Wilson’s invitation and ended up having dinner with Ms Ghost, according to texts disclosed to the court.

“Apologies again for last night… I lost track of time,” the younger actor texted Wilson the next day.

“I appreciate the apology,” said the Bridesmaid star replied.

“In the future, it would be terribly rude to say you wanted a ticket to a show and then not answer or answer… not a good start to our working relationship.”

MacInnes apologized “hugely” and praised the older actor as “nothing short of amazing.”

It was the first cracks in a relationship that completely fell apart when Wilson took to social media to claim that the young actor had withdrawn her complaint to advance her career.

The Deb was released in Australia in early April after legal issues prevented its widespread release following its 2024 film festival premiere.

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