Bath led to hot water for actor, court told

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

Charlotte MacInnes, actress in Rebel Wilson’s film “The Deb,” testified in a legal dispute involving Wilson and the film’s producers, centered on a deteriorated relationship with media executive Amanda Ghost after an incident where they shared a bath following Ghost’s medical episode. The court is considering allegations that Wilson sabotaged the film’s release while she seeks payment for production fees, with the case ongoing and further testimony expected.

Charlotte MacInnes, a 27-year-old actor, found her professional relationship with media executive Amanda Ghost deteriorate following a shared bath, a detail now central to a legal dispute involving “The Deb,” Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut.

MacInnes had been cast in the film, which Ghost co-produced alongside her husband, Gregor Cameron. In early 2023, MacInnes was also pursuing opportunities on stage and potential music ventures, all supported by Ghost’s guidance. In May that year, MacInnes traveled to Cannes to celebrate the release of “The Deb” on a superyacht owned by billionaire Len Blavatnik, a key financier of the film and part-owner of Warner Music Group. During the event, MacInnes performed piano and sang for Blavatnik in the presence of Ghost and Cameron, which she described as an exceptional opportunity.

However, by mid-September 2023, the relationship between MacInnes and Ghost had cooled significantly. The New South Wales Supreme Court heard that this change followed an incident on September 5, when MacInnes and Ghost shared a bath after Ghost experienced a medical episode after swimming in cold water at Bondi Beach. MacInnes, appearing via video link from London, testified that she never felt uncomfortable during the bath and never communicated any distress to Rebel Wilson.

The courtroom proceedings stem from a broader legal battle between Wilson and the producers of “The Deb,” AI Film Production. The producers allege that Wilson deliberately sabotaged the film’s release by undermining negotiations with distributors and threatening legal action against any screenings. They further accuse her of breaching contractual and directorial duties, engaging in misleading conduct, and committing the tort of injurious falsehood. Wilson, meanwhile, has filed a countersuit seeking nearly $600,000 in production fees and costs that she claims are owed to her company, Camp Sugar, co-owned with her mother, Sue Bownds.

Ghost told the court that during a two-day stay on Hamilton Island, Wilson repeatedly accused MacInnes of dishonesty and labelled her a “troublemaker.” Upon returning from the island, Ghost reportedly began ignoring MacInnes. In July 2024, Wilson posted on Instagram that the producers were obstructing the film’s premiere because she uncovered “inappropriate behaviour towards the lead actress.”

During cross-examination, MacInnes denied making any statements intended to portray Wilson as dishonest. The hearing remains ongoing, with further testimony expected as the court examines the allegations on both sides.

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