Rebel Wilson rejects ‘absolutely outrageous’ phone-dumping accusation as defamation trial continues

Hollywood star Rebel Wilson has rejected an “absolutely outrageous” accusation that she dumped her phone to avoid handing over key communications in a defamation case. The Pitch Perfect star is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the 27-year-old lead actor of the musical comedy The Deb. MacInnes alleges she was defamed by Wilson in social media posts that suggested she is a liar who retracted a sexual harassment complaint to further her acting and music career. Wilson claims MacInnes confided that she felt uncomfortable after the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost asked her to have a shower and a bath together in September 2023. “I was pretty shocked by it,” Wilson told the federal court on Wednesday. “I took it as a sexual harassment complaint.” She was in the witness box for a second day on Wednesday after repeatedly rejecting accusations she was lying or that she had bullied and harassed MacInnes. The Bridesmaids star told the court her phone had been stolen in London so she was unable to hand over some crucial communications requested by MacInnes’ legal team. Wilson said some of her text chains hadn’t been backed up so she was unable to retrieve and surrender them. “Are you sure your phone was stolen and you didn’t just dump it in a park?” MacInnes’ lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC asked. Wilson’s lawyer, Dauid Sibtain SC, objected to the question but not before his client answered. “That is absolutely outrageous,” the actor said. …