Rebel Wilson won a landmark sum in her lawsuit against Bauer Media, the publisher behind Woman’s Day and the Australian Women’s Weekly. Wilson, who had brought a libel case against Bauer, received a settlement of “more than $4.5m [approximately $3.6m in USD] in damages, plus interest and court costs” from the Melbourne supreme court, The Guardian confirms. The “Pitch Perfect” actress had argued that Bauer Media attempted to permanently damage her reputation by knowingly publishing lies about her around the release of “Pitch Perfect 2.” Bauer’s publications had written several pieces suggesting that Wilson had been dishonest about her age, name, and upbringing.
The “Bridesmaids” star also claimed that Bauer’s stories had cost her job opportunities, specifically roles in Dreamworks’ “Kung Fu Panda 3” and “Trolls.” “You’re not popular for long in Hollywood, you have a few years until you go out of fashion,” the actress explained. “They took those two years away from me doing what I love, which is entertaining people and making people laugh.”
After hearing both sides’ evidence, a six-person jury found in Wilson’s favor in June. The jury was asked to consider “40 questions and eight claims of defamation relating to a series of articles accusing Wilson of being a serial liar.”
Justice John Dixon’s judgment specified that Wilson was due “substantial” payment. The actress was granted “$650,000 in general damages, including aggravated damages, and $3,917,472 in special damages for opportunities of screen roles lost because of the articles.” Wilson will also receive interest and legal cost reparations sometime in the future.
Dixon’s decision also found that the usual $389,500 ceiling on Victorian defamation cases “did not apply because Wilson’s case warranted an award of aggravation.”
According to tweets from Wilson, her settlement marks an Australian record, but the case was never about money. “I’m looking forward to helping out some great Australian charities and supporting the Oz film industry with the damages I’ve received,” she added.
Justice Dixon has awarded me a record sum and I'm extremely grateful for that. It is 4 times the Australian record.
To me though, this case wasn't about the money.
I'm looking forward to helping out some great Australian charities and supporting the Oz film industry with the damages I've received.
“Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie” and “How to Be Single” are among Wilson’s recent screen credits. You can catch her reprise the role of Fat Amy in “Pitch Perfect 3,” set to bow December 22. Wilson is also set to star opposite Anne Hathaway in the gender-swapped “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” reboot “Nasty Women.” Wilson and Hathaway will portray two con-women trying to fleece a tech prodigy for all he’s worth.
