Rebel Wilson Has 3.6M Reasons to Smile

Rebel Wilson previously said she didn't care about the damages so much as the verdict in her successful defamation case against Bauer Media. She might care now. A Victorian Supreme Court justice has determined that Bauer, publisher of Australia's Woman's Day magazine, owes the actress $3.6 million, "the highest defamation payout in Australian legal history," reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Wilson, 37, tweeted Wednesday that the sum—including $522,000 in general damages and $3.1 million in special damages, per CNN—is actually four times the Australian record. She added she's "extremely grateful" and—following up on a promise to donate any damages—said she would support charities and the film industry in her native country.

The Pitch Perfect star had initially offered to settle the case for $200,000, but later sought about $5.6 million. Her lawyer said that was a "conservative" amount considering Wilson lost out on roles in at least two films because of the 2015 articles painting her as a serial liar. "Wilson's reputation as an actress of integrity was wrongly damaged in a manner that affected her marketability in a huge worldwide marketplace," Justice John Dixon said in announcing the damages Wednesday, per the BBC. "Only a very substantial sum … could convince the public that Ms. Wilson is not a dishonest person and bestow vindication of her reputation," he added, per the Herald, which notes "celebrity journalism in Australia may never be the same." (More Rebel Wilson stories.)