Margot Robbie has shared a disturbing experience from early in her career when a male actor gave her a book that suggested she should “eat less.” The Australian actress, currently promoting her upcoming film Wuthering Heights, revealed this incident during a candid interview discussing the worst gifts she has received.
Details of the Unwelcome Gift
While speaking with singer Charli XCX in a recent interview for Complex, Margot Robbie opened up about a particularly hurtful present she received from a fellow actor. Although she did not name the individual, she explained that the gift was a copy of the book Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, which essentially conveyed a message that she needed to lose weight. Margot recalled,
“Very, very early in my career, an actor I worked with, a male actor, gave me a book called Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, and it was essentially a book telling you to eat less.”
She expressed her shock and anger with the blunt response,
“I was like, woah, f*** you dude.”
When asked if the actor was still working in the industry, Margot confirmed,
“No, that was a – I have no idea where he would even be now, this was really back in the day.”
The exchange between Margot and Charli included some lighthearted moments, but the sense of disappointment over the gift was evident.
Context of the Book and Industry Pressures
The book in question, written by Mireille Guiliano and first published in 2006, claims to reveal the secrets of the “French paradox”—how to enjoy food while staying slim. Its description promotes balanced eating and pleasure rather than dieting, stating,
“Classy, chic and expertly well-written, this is the book that we have all been waiting for. It’s the ultimate non-diet book; instead, showing how to eat with balance, control and above all pleasure. Eat, like a French woman.”
Despite this, the context in which Margot received it made the gift a form of body shaming rather than encouragement. She summed it up starkly:
“He essentially gave me a book to let me know that I should lose weight, I was like wow.”
Comparisons with Other Uncomfortable Gifts
During the same interview, Charli XCX shared her own unsettling experience when she once received a small jar containing the ashes of one of her fan’s mothers, worn on a necklace. Charli explained the awkwardness of the situation, saying,
“I received once a small jar of one of my fans mother’s ashes. Yeah, it was a jar on a necklace. I just didn’t quite know what to do with it. Because you don’t wanna be like ‘I don’t want this’ because that could be really offensive.”
She concluded by admitting,
“So, I just sort of took it. I don’t know where it is now.”
Public Reaction to Margot Robbie’s Experience
Margot Robbie’s revelation sparked strong reactions on social media, with many condemning the act as inappropriate and hurtful. One Twitter user pointed out a clear boundary violation, writing,
“There’s a very thin line between a helpful suggestion and a total insult, and this coworker crossed it by a mile.”
Another comment emphasized empathy, stating,
“That’s awful. No one deserves that kind of body shaming, especially at work.”
A third user expressed disbelief over the disrespect, saying,
“Imagine giving someone a book telling them to ‘eat less’… peak disrespect.”
The Broader Issue of Body Shaming in Entertainment
This incident sheds light on the persistent problem of body shaming faced by actors, particularly women, in the entertainment industry. Margot Robbie, known for her roles alongside Jacob Elordi and under director Emerald Fennell in Wuthering Heights, now publicly shares this painful experience during a press tour, underscoring the need for greater respect and sensitivity. As the film approaches its Valentine’s Day release, conversations about respect and professionalism in Hollywood continue to gain importance, challenging outdated attitudes toward body image and personal boundaries.
