British edition of ‘Rebel Rising’ published with controversial sections omitted for legal reasons

Australian actress Rebel Wilson’s autobiography, Rebel Rising, has been published in the UK with one contentious section redacted, amid legal concerns.

The US release of Rebel Rising earlier this month stirred controversy due to Wilson’s allegations against Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The British edition of the book, released on Thursday, has blacked out the text believed to be related to Baron Cohen, with a note explaining the redaction was made “due to the peculiarities of the law in England and Wales”.

A spokesperson for Baron Cohen hailed the redactions as a “clear victory”, reiterating that Wilson’s claims were “demonstrably false”.

HarperCollins, the publisher, clarified that the redacted sections were a small part of the book due to legal reasons, but affirmed the publication of every page.

In Australia and New Zealand, the entire chapter involving Baron Cohen has been redacted, making it the most censored version of the book.

Wilson’s original claims detailed her negative experience working with Baron Cohen on the 2016 film Grimsby, which the comedian vehemently denied. Critics in the UK have not been kind to Rebel Rising, with one two-star review describing it as poorly written and distracting. Another review gave it two stars, criticizing its weak jokes and self-indulgence. Despite this, the book’s conversational tone may appeal to Wilson’s fans.