Rebel Wilson's Defamation Payout Reduced to a Fraction

So much for the record $3.6 million libel payout in Rebel Wilson's successful defamation case against Bauer Media. The publisher of Australia's Woman's Day magazine successfully appealed Thursday to have the damages reduced to about $450,000, arguing Wilson failed to prove she'd lost out on two film roles as a result of articles that wrongly portrayed her as a habitual liar. "There was no basis in the evidence for making any award of damages for economic loss," the judgement reads, per Reuters.

The decision comes after some concern over whether the fear of payouts of that magnitude would suppress journalism in the public interest, reports the BBC. When the damages were initially awarded, however, the judge noted "only a very substantial sum … could convince the public that Ms. Wilson is not a dishonest person." Wilson, who promised to donate her payout to charity, tweeted Wednesday "the losers" were "quibbling about how much they now have to pay me." She added, "while this case was never about the money for me, I do hope to receive as much as possible." (More Rebel Wilson stories.)