Rebel Wilson scores record label deal ahead of directorial debut in Aussie film The Deb

The Australian actress has just announced her major new business move, but it’s the name she’s given her new venture that’s garnering attention.

Rebel Wilson arrives at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Cannes Gala at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes on May 25. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini / AFP)

Rebel Wilson is already a comedian, actress, singer, writer and producer. But now she can add another title to her growing list of multi-hyphenates: Record label owner.

The 43-year-old Australian star just signed with Warner Music to have her own label, Rebellionaire.

“Take the ‘b’ out of billionaire and replace it with an ‘r’ for Rebel,” she explained to Deadline of the name.

According to the outlet, Wilson scored the personalised record label deal with the studio after they heard some of the music from her upcoming movie musical, The Deb, which is set to begin filming in rural Australia in September this year.

The soundtrack for The Deb will be Rebellionaire’s first release, expected to drop later next year alongside the film.

Rebel Wilson arrives at an event during the Cannes Film Festival on May 25 to promote her new film The Deb. Picture: Stefano Rellandini/AFP

The Deb was originally a stage musical written by Hannah Reilly that premiered in Australia just months year. The production won the 2019 Rebel Wilson Comedy Commission – a scholarship program in the actress’ name for aspiring young female writers at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP).

The production follows a farm girl and high school outcast Taylah Simpkins (played by Natalie Abbott), who is determined to use the upcoming Debutante Ball, aka the Deb, as her chance to redefine herself.

But her cynical city-slicker cousin Maeve (Charlotte MacInnes) arrives in town and calls out the “sh*t-show” where cool girls and footy hunks reign, immediately disrupts Taylah’s plans.

The film also stars Jay Laga’aia and Shane Jacobson.

Rebel Wilson alongside The Deb co-stars Natalie Abbott, Stevie Jean and Charlotte MacInnes as they promote the film in Cannes. Picture: Instagram

“The Deb is my type of movie – full of humour, full of heart, and uniquely Australian but with universal themes,” Wilson said, as reported by ET.

“It came out of my scholarship program at the non-profit Australian Theatre for Young People, a program that I’m very proud of and has had incredible success. If there was ever a movie I was going to direct, it would be this one.”

“I grew up watching Australian classics like Muriel’s Wedding, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Baz Luhrmann’s early films.

“My goal is to create an Australian work that rivals those masterpieces and travels internationally. I know I can bring the funny, and hopefully it’ll be just as moving as well.”

Originally published as Rebel Wilson scores record label deal ahead of directorial debut in Aussie film The Deb