Rebel Wilson: Actor loses court battle to reclaim record defamation payout

The actor successfully argued that eight articles published by Bauer Media’s magazines falsely portrayed her as a serial liar

Rebel Wilson speaks to the media outside the High Court of Australia in Canberra, Australia, 16 November (EPA)

Rebel Wilson has lost her final bid to reclaim the payout for a defamation case, which was marked as the largest payout in Australian history, totalling A$4.5m (£2.7m).

The Bridesmaids actor successfully argued that eight articles published by Bauer Media’s magazines falsely portrayed her as a serial liar. An Australian jury sided with Wilson in June of last year, concluding that the actor lost Hollywood roles and should be paid money as compensation.

However, that sum was reduced to A$600,000 on appeal, after a court found that “there was no basis in the evidence for making any award of damages for economic loss”, and her bid to review the compensation was dismissed by Australia’s top court.

The actor told reporters, outside the High Court of Australia, that she was happy the case had reached a “definitive end”, adding: “To me it was never about the money, but about standing up to a bully and I have done that successfully.”

“At the end of the day that is what matters. Bauer Media were proven to have told terrible lies which were very hurtful.”

The articles in question, published in 2015, alleged that Wilson had lied about her name, age, and upbringing. Bauer Media said it was “pleased that the High Court has chosen to bring an end to this matter”.

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