Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes has provided tearful testimony on the breakdown in her relationship with Rebel Wilson during the making of The Deb.

MacInnes is suing Wilson for defamation in Australia, alleging that the Pitch Perfect star damaged her reputation by claiming that she was a victim of “inappropriate behaviour” by The Deb producer Amanda Ghost, and then colluded with Ghost to cover up what took place.

MacInnes gave evidence on Thursday, and was at times visibly emotional in the witness box of the Sydney court. On more than one occasion, her eyes pricked with tears, she shifted in her chair, and she took deep breaths to steady herself under cross-examination from Dauid Sibtain, Wilson’s barrister.

MacInnes told the court that it was “very difficult to be around” Wilson after the Bridesmaids star alleged that she had complained about Ghost.

Wilson’s position is that Ghost abused her power and made MacInnes uncomfortable by sharing a bath with the actress when they were staying in a Sydney apartment in September 2023. Ghost and MacInnes do not deny that they bathed together, but both say it was a non-sexual encounter, during which they were wearing swimsuits, after Ghost experienced a medical incident.

MacInnes denies that the incident made her uncomfortable, and repeatedly told the court that she “never made a complaint” to Wilson about Ghost. In her affidavit, MacInnes said she did not have a good relationship with Wilson and “wanted to finish the film and then never have to interact with her again.”

Sibtain challenged this narrative by presenting MacInnes with a series of images of the actress smiling in photos with Wilson, including one from backstage at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards, featuring Cate Blanchett. The awards took place in February 2024, which was after The Deb had wrapped.

“That was a very pleasant and light-hearted interaction that you had with Miss Wilson and everyone else in that group,” Sibtain said. “I did what I could to keep it light-hearted,” MacInnes replied. “Are you saying that this was under sufferance?” Sibtain asked. MacInnes responded: “I’m saying it’s very difficult to be around Rebel.”

Sibtain showed the court another photo from September 22, 2023, which was days after the bathing incident. The photo showed Wilson and MacInnes smiling. “Again, a pretty comfortable and relaxed photograph,” Sibtain asserted. MacInnes responded: “I don’t know how to answer that question. I was learning how to survive my interactions [with Wilson] after knowing what had been said about me.”

She continued: “I had discussed with Amanda at that point that Rebel had told her that I made a complaint. I knew that I had never done that.” Sibtain replied: “I’m suggesting to you that you had made a complaint and you were horrified … that it was going somewhere.”

Earlier in the day, the court heard that MacInnes and Wilson chatted about the bathing incident the day after it took place. It was during this discussion that Wilson claims MacInnes complained it made her feel “uncomfortable.” MacInnes said she may have described the events as “weird” or “strange and bizarre,” but she did not discuss being made to feel uncomfortable.

Earlier this week, the court heard that Ghost suffered cold urticaria after a swim on Bondi Beach, a condition that effectively renders people allergic to cold water. Ghost was shaking uncontrollably and came out in hives, with MacInnes helping her back to the apartment, where they bathed together in swimsuits to help warm up Ghost.

Wilson alleges that MacInnes walked back her complaint because of “incredible opportunities” offered to her by Ghost, including being cast in a Gatsby stage show and landing a record deal. MacInnes denies this. “I’m incredibly proud of myself,” MacInnes told the court. “I’ve worked very hard,” she added, voice cracking with emotion.

The Deb dispute is playing out across different fronts in Los Angeles and Australia, overshadowing the feel-good movie about outback teens attending a debutante ball. The film was finally released in Australia earlier this month, but it does not yet have a distributor in the U.S.

The case continues. Justice Elizabeth Raper is overseeing the trial.