Rebel Wilson appears in court ahead of Bauer Media defamation trial

Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson has appeared at the Supreme Court in Melbourne ahead of her defamation trial against magazine publishing house Bauer Media. 

The Bridesmaids star attended the directions hearing in person on Friday, flanked by lawyers and a family member. 

She has taken time out from movie commitments to fly from the United States for the trial, which is due to begin on Monday. 

Wilson is suing Bauer Media, the publisher of Women's WeeklyWomans Day and OK! magazines. She claims articles published in the women's magazines damaged her reputation as a fair and honest person. 

The articles suggested Wilson was a "serial liar" who invented fantastic stories in order to make it in Hollywood, according to court documents. In particular, the articles suggested Wilson told journalists she was 29-years-old when she was in fact 35. 

Wilson's legal team will argue their client missed out on lucrative roles after the articles were published, including Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda III

The Pitch Perfect star's financial records are expected to be made public during the trial as evidence of her lost earnings. An episode of Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery will also be tendered to the court. 

During the directions hearing, Bauer Media's barrister, Georgina Schoff QC, argued the articles were simply trying to "set the record straight". Witnesses from the US and U.K. are expected to appear by videolink. 

The full trial will begin on Monday, May 22 with Wilson confirming she would be in attendance for the whole trial. 

Outside court she said she had cancelled auditions to be in Melbourne. 

"It's so good to be here," she said. "I'm going to have a good weekend before the trial starts on Monday. It's just important the truth is out there."

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/rebel-wilson-appears-in-court-ahead-of-bauer-media-defamation-trial-20170519-gw8jd3.html