S Poddar
Rebel Wilson to appeal Los Angeles Superior Court’s decision that allows her to face a defamation lawsuit filed by producers of her film, The Deb. It has confirmed intentions of appealing that ruling, claiming the decision was against established principles of law.
The court said Wilson’s argument that her statements fall under California’s anti-SLAPP laws, which prevent lawsuits aimed at suppressing free speech about a matter of public concern, lacked merit. In July, she published claims against the producers on Instagram, where she has more than 11 million followers. Her lawyers argued these were communications regarding issues of public concern.
But Judge Thomas Long ruled that Wilson’s comments were done in the context of private business for purposes of a dispute with the producers rather than for the public good. He further noted that although serious claims had been made including criminal ones, no criminal action was pursued on these claims by Wilson. Instead, the letter written by Wilson to the producers demanding payment of sums over what he was receiving a record deal and writing credits was the issue.
Wilson’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, criticized the ruling, saying it was inconsistent with a wide array of case law. “Posting a video about the highly anticipated premiere of The Deb at the Toronto International Film Festival and addressing misconduct in the entertainment industry—clearly matters of public interest—should qualify as protected activity,” Freedman said. He noted an appeal would be filed “today” and predicted the appellate court will overturn the order.
Three producers, including Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden, who had been accused by Wilson of sexual misconduct, embezzlement, and unlawful detainment have welcomed the court’s decision that frees them from the case of sexually detaining one of them.
Camille Vasquez, the producers’ attorney and who won Johnny Depp his defamation case against Amber Heard, described Wilson’s strategy as an effort to stifle merit claims. “Ms. Wilson’s anti-SLAPP motion was a cynical effort to block a valid lawsuit after she made a public attack on three hardworking professionals,” Vasquez added, “We look forward to addressing this in court.
The producers’ lawyers had filed for a 90-day stay in October in order to investigate the source of an anonymous website, amandaghostsucks.com, that mirrored the accusations Wilson made on Instagram. The website, now offline because of legal actions, contained inflammatory allegations, including a charge that Amanda Ghost – Indo-Trinidadian by birth – is an “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell.” Vasquez alleges that the site was registered shortly after Wilson threatened to go public with damaging claims.
It also includes controversy revolving around Charlotte MacInnes, lead actor in The Deb, which the report said had been at the center of the sexual misconduct allegations. Lately, Charlotte made a declaration before court where she termed Wilson’s accusations as “completely false and absurd,” stating that she felt bullied and harassed by Wilson while they were at work. “I have no idea what could cause Wilson and her attorney to make up such lies about me,” MacInnes said.
The case highlights tensions between free speech protections and the responsibilities of public figures with allegations. Wilson’s appeal has the potential of reshaping the application of anti-SLAPP laws in disputes involving public figures and private business matters.
