Actress Rebel Wilson reveals today that she would now be strong enough to walk away from the alleged “degrading” treatment she claims she suffered at the hands of Sacha Baron Cohen.
The Australian-born star, 44, told today’s edition of Desert Island Discs that she allowed herself to be ‘degraded’ by the British comedian because she lacked the self-esteem to stand up for herself when they performed together in the 2016 film Grimsby.
Wilson, who has said that early in her career she was often cast as the “funny fat girl,” tells host Lauren Laverne: “That was the worst professional experience and that’s where she crossed the line.
“It wasn’t comedy. She just crossed the line into an experience where I felt humiliated and degraded for being an overweight woman.”
Actress Rebel Wilson (pictured) reveals today that she would now be strong enough to walk away from the alleged “degrading” treatment she claims she suffered at the hands of Sacha Baron Cohen.
Rebel Wilson photographed with Sacha Baron Cohen in The Brothers Grimsby
He continues: ‘Although at the time I reported it, nothing really happened.
‘I was left in a situation and they told me things and things that I should have left. The me now would be strong enough, but back then I just didn’t have enough self-esteem to leave and I thought I would be labeled unprofessional if I left.’
In Grimsby, which was a box office flop, Baron Cohen played an irresponsible football hooligan called Nobby who has 11 children with his partner Dawn, played by Wilson. The film also starred Mark Strong as Nobby’s unlikely brother.
In her recent memoir Rebel Rising, Wilson accused Ali G and Borat actor of pressuring her to do a nude scene and forcing her to wear clothes that showed her in the most unflattering light.
In Grimsby, which was a box office flop, Baron Cohen played an irresponsible football hooligan called Nobby who has 11 children with his partner Dawn, played by Wilson. Pictured: Rebel at a movie premiere last month.
He is also alleged to have harassed her and asked her to put his finger in his butt.
Baron Cohen, who co-wrote and produced the film, denied all of Wilson’s claims.
In her interview with Desert Island Discs, the actress, who became famous with the movie Bridesmaids and the series Pitch Perfect, does not make any specific accusations. But she does say that she does not regret telling her story “in some way to release the shame that she had suffered in a situation that was not very good.”
He adds: “I guess it’s a final release of emotions and if it can help some people then it’s worth it.”
lDesert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 today at 10am and is available through BBC Sounds.