Rebel Wilson’s Memoir Release Delayed for UK and Australia Tour Alignment
Rebel Wilson’s autobiography, “Rebel Rising,” has been pushed back in its release for the UK and Australia. While the book hit shelves in the US on Tuesday, its release in Australia was originally planned for Wednesday and the UK for Thursday. However, publisher HarperCollins has adjusted the schedule to align with Wilson’s upcoming press tours in these regions. The book will now be available in the UK on April 25th.
The memoir has garnered significant attention due to Wilson’s account of working with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Wilson describes her experience filming the 2016 movie “Grimsby” (known as “The Brothers Grimsby” in North America) as “the worst professional experience of my career.” In the book, she claims she was pressured to perform actions considered “derogatory to women or to my size,” and details specific scenes that left her feeling “humiliated” and “sexually harassed.”
Her portrayal of Baron Cohen is particularly harsh, likening him to a “fourth-grade bully.” Baron Cohen vehemently denies any wrongdoing, stating that Wilson’s claims are “demonstrably false.” His spokesperson provided a statement referencing “extensive detailed evidence” including production documents, footage, and eyewitness accounts that contradict Wilson’s version of events.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Daily Mail published outtake video footage from a scene Wilson describes in the book. Wilson denounced the release as “unauthorised and misleading,” calling it an attempt to “bully and gaslight” her.
Despite the controversy, Wilson is moving forward with promoting the book. She has scheduled a UK tour with stops in Edinburgh, Manchester, and London between April 24th and 29th. An Australian leg of the tour will follow in May, visiting Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Wilson maintains that the book “is obviously not about this one guy,” emphasizing that the Baron Cohen incident is just one chapter in her story.
This release delay highlights the complexities surrounding the book’s content, with both Wilson and Baron Cohen offering contrasting narratives. While the book itself delves into Wilson’s personal journey, the controversy surrounding her experience with Baron Cohen has undoubtedly captured public attention.