Judge Finds Rebel Wilson Was Behind Targetted Smear Websites Following Court Win
Image: Rebel Wilson (L) and Charlotte MacInnes (R). Images: IMDB
Rebel Wilson has won $359,000 in unpaid producer fees over her directorial debut The Deb, despite a judge finding she commissioned anonymous websites publishing false claims about producer Amanda Ghost.
The NSW Supreme Court ruling delivers another financial victory for the Australian actor, while recording findings against her conduct during the dispute surrounding the musical comedy.
However, Wilson is still celebrating her win.
Rebel Wilson wins in court
Justice Elisabeth Peden found Wilson paid US crisis publicity firm The Agency Group to create websites targeting Ghost, despite repeatedly denying involvement.
The judge concluded Wilson wanted negative material published anonymously and that the statements were motivated by malice.
“I am satisfied that the statements published in the websites were actuated with malice on Ms Wilson’s part,” Justice Peden said.
“I consider that Ms Wilson wanted to draw negative attention to Ms Ghost and wanted to do so seemingly anonymously. Ms Wilson wanted her team to acquire negative information about Ms Ghost and then publish the anonymous websites containing false representations about Ms Ghost. She repeatedly denied her involvement with those websites, contrary to the true position.”
However, those findings did not establish AI Film Production’s claim that Wilson’s actions caused it financial loss. The court found the website statements concerned Ghost and that the company had not proved resulting damage.
AI Film was ordered to pay Wilson and her company Camp Sugar Productions $359,000 in outstanding fees. A separate production company received $10 in nominal damages over breaches of Wilson’s social media contract. Costs were yet to be determined.
Wilson celebrated on Instagram, sharing a graduation photograph with the caption: “ This girl never knew how much she was going to need that law degree!! Two lawsuits. Two wins.”
“Today, the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled in my favor in the proceedings brought against me by A.I Film (Amanda Ghost is its CEO). I thank Justice Peden for her judgment and for the careful consideration she has given this case, and my legal team” she wrote.
She described defending herself as personally, emotionally and financially costly, thanking supporters and her two daughters.
View this post on Instagram
The decision follows July’s dismissal of a defamation action brought by The Deb star Charlotte MacInnes over Wilson’s social media posts.
That case concerned suggestions MacInnes had withdrawn a sexual harassment complaint to further her career. MacInnes denied making the complaint. The Federal Court found she had not established serious reputational harm, and she has since lodged an appeal.
In the latest proceedings, Justice Peden found, on the balance of probabilities, that MacInnes told Wilson she felt uncomfortable after sharing a bath with Ghost, then later denied saying so.
Ghost and MacInnes testified that both wore swimwear and that the bath followed Ghost experiencing a medical reaction after swimming at Bondi.
The Deb premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 before reaching Australian cinemas in April 2026, earning approximately $335,000 locally.
While Friday’s decision resolves the Australian fee dispute, separate US defamation proceedings involving Wilson and the producers remain ongoing.
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