'The Deb' Star Charlotte MacInnes Drops New Single Amid Defamation Case Against Rebel Wilson

Rising Australian singer-songwriter and star of Rebel Wilson's directorial debut The Deb, Charlotte MacInnes, has released a new single "Celestial".

The synth-driven pop song comes ahead of the release of her debut EP Highwater, due out on June 5th via Atlantic Records. The five-track project was written with collaborators including Ashnikko, Joe Janiak, and Amanda Ghost, and produced by Coffee and Zhone. It will also feature previous single "Struck", which picked up early support from BBC Radio 1.

Speaking on “Celestial” and her upcoming EP, MacInnes said: “I’ve been living with this new music for a while now, and working with the most incredible people to bring it to life. I am in love with the magical yet honest world we’re building.

"The whole process was a very empowering catharsis and I hope that feeling extends out to anyone that hears it.”

The release comes as MacInnes is currently involved in a high-profile legal dispute with Rebel Wilson, with defamation proceedings underway in the Federal Court. MacInnes is suing Wilson for defamation over a series of social media posts that suggested she was sexually harassed by Amanda Ghost — a producer on The Deb whom Wilson previously sued for breach of contract and fraud — and in turn damaged her reputation. The film's release has been significantly delayed as a result.

MacInnes denies ever making such a complaint and claims the posts mischaracterised an incident. Wilson denies the allegations and argues MacInnes "suffered no harm to her reputation, indeed, her career has progressed", per the BBC. The case is ongoing.

Originally from Western Australia and now based in London, MacInnes first gained international attention as an actor, including a breakout role in North Shore, which reached No. 1 in the US and UK on Netflix. She has also appeared as Daisy Buchanan in a stage production of Gatsby led by Florence Welch and produced by the American Repertory Theatre.

Charlotte MacInnes' "Celestial" is out now.