Rebel Wilson trial drawing to a close

Georgina Schoff, QC, the lawyer for Bauer Media has concluded arguments in the defamation case instigated by Rebel Wilson.

Yesterday Schoff told the jury Wilson had told tales and said evidence in the case pointed to the fact she had misled journalists. Wilson, who legally changed her name in 2002, maintains she was born Rebel. She also claims she never revealed her age to journalists, saying instead she preferred to keep her age a mystery. She noted Wilson had tried to have a Fairfax article with her age removed.

“The plaintiff’s legal name at birth was not Rebel, it was not Rebel Wilson. Melanie was her fist name at birth. Rebel Wilson is a stage name,” she said.

She also contended Wilson must know interviews are reported faithfully by journalists and that she’s not giving a comedic performance.

Schoff said it wasn’t true that Wilson’s career had slowed down and that she had “no current job” having signed contracts for millions of dollars in the period she claimed to be unemployed and also called into doubt the actual date she was sacked from Trolls and Kung Fu Panda 3.

But Matthew Collins, QC, for the defence said Ms Schoff’s closing address was an “utterly indefensible” attack on Wilson’s character on the same level as the magazine articles.

“She (Ms Wilson) put up with mud being thrown at her and endless repetitive questions … she showed enormous dignity,” he said.

“She laid bare personal, intimate and emotional aspects of her life.

“You saw Rebel Wilson in the witness box for six days. She was the model of poise and patience. She put up with mud being thrown at her.

“Woman’s Day has a readership of 1.5 million. Its potential to do harm is enormous.

“Her claim is not about money. It is about restoring her reputation.”

Dr Collins is expected to complete his closing address today before the jury begins its deliberations.

Source: Herald Sun, The Age