AceShowbiz - Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actress in Rebel Wilson's directorial debut The Deb, has released a new synth-pop single and announced the upcoming release of her debut album, all while engaged in a defamation lawsuit against Wilson in Australia.

On Thursday, MacInnes unveiled her single "Celestial," a prelude to her debut album Highwater, which is scheduled for release on June 5 via Atlantic Records. The album features production work by Amanda Ghost, who also worked closely with Wilson on The Deb.

In a statement, MacInnes described the creative process as "a very empowering catharsis," expressing hope that listeners will connect with the "magical yet honest world" the new music creates. The single's lyrics hint at personal struggles, with lines such as, "What if I can be bigger than my ghosts. Collect my memories, of my soul screaming out ... None of this is real."

The Deb premiered earlier this month in Australia, receiving generally positive reviews but suffering from poor box office performance. However, the film has attracted more attention for the legal controversies surrounding its production, involving disputes between Wilson, MacInnes, and Amanda Ghost.

The core of the legal conflict centers on an incident that occurred on September 5, 2023, at Bondi Beach. According to court documents, this event triggered multiple lawsuits involving the key figures. Wilson made allegations via Instagram in July 2024 accusing Ghost of inappropriate behavior toward MacInnes that night, as well as claims that Ghost embezzled film funds and sought to sabotage The Deb in retaliation after Wilson exposed the alleged misconduct.

In legal filings, Wilson asserted that Ghost coerced MacInnes into living with her during the film’s production and pressured her to shower and bathe with her on the night of the swim. MacInnes has categorically denied these claims, stating that the interaction was a nonsexual response to a medical issue Ghost experienced.

In a sworn declaration filed last November in California, MacInnes explained, "Ms. Ghost and I went swimming in the ocean near the apartment, and the cold water caused Ms. Ghost to have a medical reaction. I helped Ms. Ghost by bringing her back to the apartment and running a warm shower and bath to warm her back up. We both remained in our bathing suits." She emphasized that "There was nothing sexual or inappropriate about the incident whatsoever. It was a medical situation."

Meanwhile, Amanda Ghost has denied all accusations and filed a defamation lawsuit against Wilson in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Ghost claims Wilson launched the allegations out of frustration over not receiving a writing credit on The Deb. Three months following that suit, Wilson countersued Ghost, accusing her of breach of contract and fraud.

In addition to the dispute with Ghost, MacInnes also initiated a defamation lawsuit against Wilson. This case led to MacInnes' recent testimony in a Sydney federal court. Reports from The Guardian indicate that MacInnes denied ever telling Wilson that the Bondi Beach incident made her uncomfortable, contradicting Wilson's claim that MacInnes had confided such feelings to her.

Adding to the complexity, Wilson alleged on social media that MacInnes retracted any complaints to further her music career. This claim implicates the connection between Ghost and Warner Music Group, Atlantic’s parent company, which is involved in music and film projects with both parties.

The tangled legal battles overshadow the release of The Deb, which despite critical warmth, has struggled to find commercial success. The disputes have also drawn attention to the behind-the-scenes tensions among those involved in the film’s creation.

As MacInnes continues to build her music career with the release of Highwater, the ongoing litigation with Wilson and Ghost remains a significant and public element of her professional life. The unfolding courtroom drama and her artistic endeavors are set to keep both stories in the spotlight in the coming months.