Rebel Wilson faced a setback in her efforts to release an unredacted version of her memoir Rebel Rising in Australia and New Zealand due to a legal conflict with her former co-star from Grimsby, Sacha Baron Cohen. The 44-year-old actress and comedian has successfully launched her book in the United States. However, readers in Australia will find a significant portion of the 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 on-set misconduct by Cohen during the production of the movie Grimsby. Despite the controversy surrounding this chapter, the publisher has pointed out 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 one chapter in the Australian/New Zealand edition and included an explanatory note accordingly.” “That chapter is a very small part of a much bigger story, and we’re excited for readers to know Rebel’s story when the book is released on Wednesday, 8 May,” HarperCollins added.
The chapter in Rebel Wilson’s memoir, titled Sacha Baron Cohen and Other A**holes, which detailed alleged inappropriate behavior by Cohen on the set of the 2016 comedy, has been 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 publisher, “did not fact-check this chapter in the book prior to publication” and took the “sensible but belated step of deleting Wilson’s defamatory claims.”
The decision to redact the chapter comes amid ongoing discussions about the boundaries of free speech and privacy in the publishing industry. It underscores the complexities of balancing the rights of individuals 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 her life and career, detailing her rise in Hollywood and her experiences in the entertainment industry. The redaction of the chapter does not diminish the overall impact of her story but 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 hurdles 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 its revelations and insights into her journey as an actress and comedian.
