Rebel Wilson failed to prove articles cost her roles, publisher says

Hollywood comic actor Rebel Wilson has not provided any evidence that she lost money or roles as a result of defamatory articles published in 2015, magazine giant Bauer Media has told court.

Wilson is seeking $7 million after she successfully sued the publisher over eight articles she said portrayed her as a serial liar, as part of what she called a "malicious, deliberate take-down".

Wilson's lawyer, Matthew Collins QC, yesterday told the court that Wilson could have made up to $18 million from a number of film roles if the articles had not damaged her career.

But Bauer Media's lawyer, Georgina Schoff, said Wilson "has not proved that the publications were the cause of the alleged loss".

She said the articles had not been published in the US.

During the trial, Wilson said she had seen and heard references to the defamatory claims on US television and radio programs.

But Ms Schoff said Wilson had not proved that the "sting in these articles has percolated and come to the attention of people in the United States".

Wilson is seeking $5.89 million in special damages and $1.2 million in general damages, and used Twitter to promise to give any money she gets to charities or local causes.

"Re my defamation case win, any dollars I receive will go to charity, scholarships or invested into the Aussie film industry to provide jobs," Wilson tweeted.

"I take being a role model very seriously."

Damages for non-economic losses in Victorian defamation cases, such as emotional suffering, are capped at $389,500.

But special damages, including loss of earnings, are uncapped.

Hollywood agent and producer Peter Principato yesterday told the court Wilson should have received a minimum of two movie offers after her success in the film Pitch Perfect 2, and would have commanded about $6 million for each film.

"Wilson was one of those actresses where every studio was talking about and trying to find projects for [her]," Mr Principato told the court via video link.

Dr Collins said there was a degree of guesswork in finding the right figure for the damages payout.

Wilson has been active on social media throughout the weeks-long trial, using Instagram and Twitter to document her time with family in Melbourne, and to praise her legal team after her win.

She has also received support from a number of Australian celebrities on Twitter, including singer Delta Goodrem, who tweeted after the verdict: "ENOUGH is enough of media lies."

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne congratulated Wilson and tweeted that Woman's Day, one of the magazines that published the articles, has been "a disgraceful magazine for a long time".

"Hopefully this makes them report facts & stops the rubbish," Warne wrote.

Former tennis player Lleyton Hewitt tweeted: "They have to be held accountable. Justice is done!"