By Adelaide Lang in Sydney

Rebel Wilson texted a producer saying things were good, days after informing her she was the subject of a sexual harassment complaint by the film’s star. 

The Australian A-lister is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the Australian lead actor of her directorial debut, musical comedy The Deb.

MacInnes claims she was defamed by Wilson in four social media posts which claimed the young actor made a sexual harassment complaint and then retracted it to further her career.

Her lawsuit centres on the aftermath of a medical episode suffered by the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost at Bondi Beach in September 2023.

MacInnes helped her back to an apartment they were sharing with others and the pair ended up sharing a bath in their swimwear in a bid to warm up, she says.

Wilson claimed her film’s star had confided she felt uncomfortable after Ms Ghost requested they shower and bathe together, but MacInnes has denied making a complaint.

Ms Ghost told the Federal Court on Friday she was shocked when the Bridesmaids star said MacInnes had reported she felt uncomfortable when the producer requested they share a bath.

Ms Ghost was confused and asked Wilson to clarify whether the young actor was making a complaint against her, the court was told.

“Charlotte says all good,” Wilson reported back after speaking with MacInnes.

“She just meant ‘it was a bizarre situation’ not that she personally felt uncomfortable (kiss)”.

When Ms Ghost expressed her relief, the Hollywood actor explained that the young actor instantly said there were “zero issues”.

But after discussing the complaint with Wilson further, she agreed she had doubts about MacInnes’ honesty at the time.

“I was annoyed after Rebel presented a case about her to me,” she said.

Ms Ghost later told a friend she became so angry with MacInnes she couldn’t even look at her.

She was so concerned she decided to avoid the young actor, instigate a third party investigation into the complaint and evict MacInnes from the apartment they shared with others.

MacInnes revealed during her own testimony on Thursday she felt confused and was deeply distressed by Ms Ghost keeping her distance.

After she found out the reason for the cold shoulder, the actor said it was important Ms Ghost knew she had never made a complaint.

Ms Ghost had been instrumental in her career and she was worried about the potential impact of a falling out, the young actor said.

When she briefly returned to the witness box on Friday, she said she felt that her evidence had been ridiculed on social media by Wilson’s wife earlier in the day.

The post, seen by AAP, depicted the forgetful Finding Nemo character Dory with the words: “I suffer from short term memory loss … or do I? I can’t remember.”

MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC suggested the post was referencing her client’s responses that she couldn’t remember details about four years of travel.

She said the post was relevant to a claim for aggravated damages over the harm caused to the young actor, who attested the post made her feel “awful”.

“She was mocking the evidence I gave,” MacInnes told the court.

She claims her reputation has been seriously damaged by suggestions in the social media posts that she is untrustworthy and prioritised her career over the 300 cast and crew of The Deb.

But Wilson denies the posts are defamatory and says the young actor’s career has not been adversely affected by the posts.

The key issue is not whether MacInnes was sexually harassed but rather whether she made a complaint and then withdrew it, Wilson’s barrister Dauid Sibtain SC said.

Both Wilson and her wife are expected to give evidence in the second week of the legal battle.