Aussie movie star Rebel Wilson claims women’s magazines ruined her Hollywood film career
UPDATE: A SUPREME Court judge has admitted he had no idea who Aussie movie star Rebel Wilson was — weeks before one of Hollywood’s favourite Aussies will appear in his Melbourne court.
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A SUPREME Court judge admitted on Friday he had no idea who Aussie movie star Rebel Wilson was — weeks before one of Hollywood’s favourite Aussies will appear in his Melbourne court.
Justice John Dixon told the screen comic’s lawyer at a directions hearing: “I don’t want your client to be offended by this, but I didn’t know who she was until I was informed by my staff.”
Wilson has launched a defamation case against Bauer Media, publisher of Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and OK! magazines.
She claims that articles in those titles which alleged she had lied about her age and background had cost her prestigious roles in hit movies.
She is expected to appear in person to give evidence.
Wilson alleges one article — titled “Just who is the REAL Rebel?” — suggested she was a serial liar who “invented fantastic stories in order to make it in Hollywood”.
The Pitch Perfect star says the stories accused her of lying about her personal details, using a fake name and creating stories in order to succeed in Hollywood. She also claims that she was not contacted for comment before publication.
She claims the articles destroyed her reputation among producers and directors in Hollywod, costing her lucrative acting roles and effectively killing her career.
The court is also considering whether it will allow evidence from Hollywood film producer Peter Principato, who has given a statement about the effect of the articles on Wilson’s career.
Her financial affairs are expected to be made public during evidence about her claimed loss of earnings.
Wilson’s lawyer Renee Enbom told the court Wilson was hot property after the success of Pitch Perfect and its sequel Pitch Perfect II, and until the magazines went to print.
“Ms Wilson will give evidence that after the articles, her contracts were terminated,” Ms Enbom said. “She was told she was too divisive ... it’s destroyed (her) reputation as a fair and honest person.”
Justice Dixon heard that one of the movies Wilson was booted from was the box-office smash Kung Fu Panda III.
The trial is expected to begin on May 22.