Rebel Wilson wins €3 million in ‘malicious’ defamation case
Rebel Wilson has been awarded over €3 million (A$4.56m) in damages after articles published in a popular magazine made false accusations about the Australian actress.
The articles falsely claimed that Rebel had lied about her age, the origins of her first name and her Sydney upbringing, so that she could make it in Hollywood.
As a result, the Pitch Perfect star missed out on several film roles and other career opportunities.
Bauer Media, publisher of Woman's Day magazine, was found guilty of defamation after Justice John Dixon said it had failed to show the claims made against the actress had any substance.
According to Rebel's lawyers, the amount awarded is the “largest defamation damages award in Australian legal history.”
Rebel took to Twitter to express her relief after a “long hard court battle” and insisted the case “wasn't about the money.”
Today was the end of a long and hard court battle against Bauer Media who viciously tried to take me down with a series of false articles.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) September 13, 2017
Today Justice Dixon accepted that Bauer Media subjected me to a sustained and malicious attack timed to coincide with the launch of Pitch 2
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) September 13, 2017
Justice Dixon has awarded me a record sum and I’m extremely grateful for that. It is 4 times the Australian record.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) September 13, 2017
To me though, this case wasn’t about the money.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) September 13, 2017
The actress went on to say how she would use the money help a number of charities as well as support the Australian film industry.
She finished by thanking her fans for their love and support and revealed she was looking forward to getting back to her career.
Thank you again for the love and support! I am humbled x
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) September 13, 2017
