Australian publication Sydney Morning Herald admitted to giving Rebel Wilson ‘two days’ to comment on her new relationship before taking it into their own hands.
Despite the year being 2022, it would seem that ‘outing‘ someone is still very much a thing and Rebel Wilson coming out, sadly and in more ways than one, has been an example of how fu*ked up many attitudes still are.
Pitch Perfect actress Rebel Wilson, 42, announced via social media on June 9 that she was dating fashion designer Ramona Agruma.
In a sweet post, the Australian actress shared, “I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess 💗🌈💗#loveislove“
The couple were immediately met with both praise and congratulations from followers, but what followed was a little less celebratory and far more uncomfortable to observe.
First of all, Rebel Wilson or anyone announcing a same-sex relationship, at any time but perhaps especially during Pride Month, should not be a divisive talking point.
And yet, the response from many was to question her sexual orientation or speculate over her relationship history. Rather than simply celebrating her public acknowledgment that love is, indeed, love.
One could argue that such public deliberation is simply a by-product of a social media society, however details later revealed present far less trivial issues and people, rightly, are not happy about it.
In an opinion piece that followed Wilson’s coming out, columnist Andrew Hornery revealed the newspaper had been planning to tell the world about her relationship before she was able – or perhaps even ready – to herself.
And details of the ultimatum weren’t uncovered or exposed in any way, it was published and shared by the publication in question.
Hornery wrote: ‘It was an abundance of caution and respect that this media outlet emailed Rebel Wilson’s representatives on Thursday morning, giving her two days to comment on her new relationship with another woman, LA leisure wear designer Ramona Agruma, before publishing a single word.”
‘Big mistake”, he continues. “Wilson opted to gazump the story, posting about her new “Disney Princess” on Instagram early Friday morning, the same platform she had previously used to brag about her handsome ex-boyfriend, wealthy American beer baron Jacob Busch.”
Many online commented that the opinion piece reads like its intention was, basically, a ‘takedown’ of Wilson, but it clearly didn’t have the impact intended because social media users were furious.
Journalist Chris Scullion tweeted: “Fu*king shameful by the Sydney Morning Herald. Acting like they were being generous by giving Rebel Wilson a two-day deadline to come out before outing her themselves, then getting arsey because she called their bluff against her will.”
“Never has @SMH been a more accurate username.”
Fucking shameful by the Sydney Morning Herald. Acting like they were being generous by giving Rebel Wilson a 2-day deadline to come out before outing her themselves, then getting arsey because she called their bluff against her will. Never has @smh been a more accurate username pic.twitter.com/v2SDZHVx9s
— Chris Scullion (@scully1888) June 11, 2022
One other person tweeted: ‘When I saw “the Sydney Morning Herald threatened to out Rebel Wilson and then complained that she scooped them” I thought someone had leaked an email or something.
‘It never occurred to me that they would publish this narrative of the events in print and expect it go to well.’
‘”Abundance of caution and respect” but basically the Sydney Morning Herald told Rebel Wilson we’ll out you in 2 days if you don’t give us a statement…and then publishes this because she came out herself. I am shocked but not surprised…,’ another added.
When I saw “the Sydney Morning Herald threatened to out Rebel Wilson and then complained that she scooped them” I thought someone had leaked an email or something. It never occurred to me that they would publish this narrative of the events in print and expect it go to well. https://t.co/SXmRy8HIq1
— Ms. Respex (@Respexy) June 11, 2022
I stand with Rebel Wilson. On one level, I’m happy that she’s out, but it should have been entirely on her terms, when she was ready, if she even ever was.
It shouldn’t have been because she was forced to. The actions of the Sydney Morning Herald are beyond disgraceful.
— Felicity 🏳️⚧️♀️ (@Tranarchic) June 11, 2022
Of course the Sydney Morning Herald’s initials are SMH. Poor taste by them in the middle of #Pride month as well https://t.co/zcVh70OszL
— Ira’s House 🏡| 🍂S2&3! (@InteractiveIra) June 11, 2022
you should be ashamed of yourselves. threatening to out someone and then being cross that they chose to do it themselves? despicable.
— michael chakraverty (@mschakraverty) June 11, 2022
This journalist is a piece of shit. An absolute total piece of shit. His news paper @smh threatened to out @RebelWilson but she took that power back and then he and his newspaper had the audacity to whine about it. If you do this stuff your not a journalist, ur scum. https://t.co/ASoEJcKTcP
— 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙭 ⚡ (@drex) June 11, 2022
In case you were wondering how Pride Month is going, the @smh got in touch with Rebel Wilson to say they’d be outing her in the next few days, so when Rebel came out herself the journalists are throwing a tantrum that she robbed them of an exclusive.
— Dr. Bodie A. Ashton (@manwithoutatan) June 11, 2022
Wait, the SMH is mad because they were going to out Rebel Wilson and when they told her they were going to, she did it herself instead?
Is this the 1960s? Who in a reputable paper thinks it’s their right to forcibly out someone? How the fuck is that in the public interest?— Stephanie H Convery (@gingerandhoney) June 11, 2022