A leaked recording obtained by The Hollywood Reporter is raising new questions in a legal battle surrounding actress Rebel Wilson. A crisis public relations team representing Wilson allegedly discussed plans to launch a smear campaign against Amanda Ghost, producer of Wilson’s film The Deb. The new information emerges amid Wilson’s ongoing dispute with Ghost.
Rebel Wilson in the trailer for The Deb – Trailer Feed, YouTube
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Wilson, known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, recently faced a major setback in the courtroom. The leaked recordings may further complicate the comedienne’s standing in both the courtroom and the court of public opinion.
Court Rulings Narrow Wilson’s Claims
Deadline reports that Wilson alleged Ghost sexually harassed an actress on the set of the film. Additionally, she accused producers Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden, of intimidation and embezzlement. LA Superior Court Judge Thomas Long recently denied many of the claims in Wilson’s lawsuit. As a result, Wilson can only pursue fair-dealing claims against Ghost’s company AI Film.
The recording captures discussions among Wilson’s PR team about creating websites that leveled serious allegations against Ghost, raising questions about the tactics employed behind the scenes. According to THR, Jed Wallace—whom the trade calls a “digital fixer”—can be heard brainstorming a potential smear campaign against Ghost.
Rebel Wilson in 2014 – The Graham Norton Show, YouTube
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“We can’t just do, like, oh, she’s a b—h, she sucks,” Wallace reportedly said to top publicist Melissa Nathan. “It’s, like, it’s got to be really, really heavy and connected to something that heavy.” THR reports that In the recording, Wallace instructed Nathan to claim that Ghost provides billionaire Len Blavatnik, owner of Ghost’s production company AI Film, with sex workers.
“So basically what we need to do is, we need to create a path where we expose Amanda Ghost,” Wallace allegedly said, adding, “Amanda Ghost is like the new Heidi Fleiss.”
The audio comes as court documents and depositions shed light on how the alleged campaign may have been executed.
PR Team Allegedly Planned Smear Campaign
Court filings and depositions indicate that multiple members of Wilson’s PR team were involved in the alleged plan. Former The Agency Group—Nathan’s PR firm—vice president Katie Case was instructed to implement a digital campaign targeting Ghost, using content reportedly drafted by Wilson’s production company, Camp Sugar, and revised to follow Wallace’s directives. The plan included a now-deleted website titled Amanda Ghost is a Destroyer of Worlds.
Gregor Cameron and Amanda Ghost at SXSW 2023 – Fox 7 Austin, YouTube
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Case later testified that she only made “cosmetic changes” and did not independently verify any of the allegations, highlighting that the messages and recordings served as the blueprint for the campaign. Wilson, Wallace, Nathan, and Freedman have all denied involvement in creating or posting the websites.
Ghost’s Lawyer Challenges Denials
Camille Vasquez, a lawyer for Ghost, challenged their denials in a statement: “We, however, had long suspected that she not only contributed to the malicious sites but that she was the driving force behind them. The evidence we have submitted to the court in California supports that conclusion.”
The controversy highlights the increasingly blurred lines between legal battles and public relations in Hollywood. While Wilson has denied involvement in the alleged smear campaign, the leaked recordings and court filings raise questions about the lengths PR teams may go to shape public perception.
Wilson’s direct role in the plan remains unclear. However, the ongoing discovery and legal proceedings could shed light on her team’s actions, with potential implications for both her reputation and the broader handling of high-profile disputes in the entertainment industry.
Do you think Rebel Wilson was involved in the alleged smear campaign? Let us know in the comments!
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Oh no, fatty, you’re busted.
Journalists, learn your trade.
Tell me, in the headline, or the opening paragraph, why this is important, why I should care. Whose the goodie and who is the villainess.
On a related note, I have NO IDEA who these females are, and, also, what’s at stake, and can’t be arsed to read the whole article hoping to find out.
Does she “rebel” against the food pyragram? Likely both the old and the new.
Perhaps, skip a meal.
Or two,…… fatty.