Rebel Wilson faced a setback in her efforts to publish an unedited version of her memoirs Rebel Rising in Australia and New Zealand due to a legal dispute with her former Grimsby co-star Sacha Baron Cohen. The 44-year-old actress and comedian has successfully launched her book in the United States. However, Australian readers will find a significant portion of content missing, as the chapter detailing allegations of inappropriate behavior by Cohen will be completely redacted.
This particular chapter of the memoir addresses what Wilson describes as Cohen’s misconduct on set during the production of the film Grimsby. Despite the controversy surrounding this chapter, the editor has noted that the omitted content forms only a minor part of Wilson’s broader narrative in the book. Variety.
HarperCollins Australia, the book’s publisher, confirmed the redaction, explaining: “For legal reasons, we have redacted a chapter in the Australian and New Zealand edition and included an explanatory note accordingly.” “That chapter is a very small part of a much larger story, and we’re excited for readers to learn Rebel’s story when the book is published on Wednesday, May 8,” HarperCollins added.
The chapter of Rebel Wilson’s memoirs, titled Sacha Baron Cohen and other morons, which detailed Cohen’s alleged inappropriate behavior on the set of the 2016 comedy, was removed from the Australian edition following a legal battle.
A spokesperson for Cohen stated that this redaction represents a significant victory for the actor, indicating that the editor“failed to fact-check this book chapter before publication” and took the “sensible but belated step of removing Wilson’s defamatory claims.”
The decision to draft the chapter comes amid ongoing discussions about the limits of free speech and privacy in the publishing industry. It highlights the complexities of balancing people’s rights to tell their stories with the legal protections that exist to prevent potential defamation.
Wilson’s memoir is anticipated to offer an extensive look at his life and career, detailing his rise in Hollywood and his experiences in the entertainment industry. The wording of the chapter does not diminish the overall impact of his story, but it does highlight the legal challenges that can arise when public figures discuss their personal and professional interactions.
The legal battle over the publication of Rebel Rising in Australia and New Zealand reflects the sensitive nature of allegations involving high-profile figures. It also shows the legal obstacles that authors can face when their work includes potentially controversial material. Despite the setback, Wilson’s memoir is expected to attract significant attention and engage readers with her revelations and insights into her career as an actress and comedian.
