Margot Robbie has disclosed an upsetting incident where a male co-star gave her a book urging her to lose weight, leaving her feeling mortified. The Australian actress, known for her role in Neighbours and various Hollywood films, recounted receiving the gift early in her career, describing it as the worst present she has ever gotten.
The 35-year-old star shared that the gift was a copy of the book French Women Don’t Get Fat, which claims to reveal the secrets behind how French women stay slim while enjoying food and wine. This unexpected gesture was not only inappropriate but deeply insulting, considering the book’s focus on dieting and eating less.
Context and Background of the Controversial Gift
The book, penned by Mireille Guiliano, a French author and former exchange student to the United States, was originally published in 2004. Guiliano wrote it after noticing her own weight gain during her time abroad, aiming to explore why French women maintain a healthy weight despite indulging in bread, pastries, and three-course meals. The paperback became a bestseller and has been praised for offering a
“charming, sensible, and powerfully life-affirming view of health and eating.”
However, Robbie’s reaction was far from positive when a male colleague gave her the book without any provocation. She revealed this story while speaking to Complex magazine before the release of Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell, in which she stars alongside Jacob Elordi. The film, a new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s gothic novel, was set to premiere on 13 February, with Charli XCX providing the soundtrack.
The Actor’s Reaction to the Gift and Reflections on the Incident
Robbie recounted the moment to Charli XCX, saying,
“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.”
Her frustration was clear when she added,
I was like, ‘Whoa, f**k you, dude!’
She further explained that she has since lost contact with the individual, noting,
I have no idea where he would even be now, it was really back in the day.
Robbie reiterated the unspoken message behind the gift:
“He essentially gave me a book to let me know that I should lose weight, I was like, ‘Wow’.”
Despite the seriousness of the incident, she chose not to reveal the identity of the actor responsible.
Charli XCX Shares Her Own Experience with a Disturbing Gift
During the conversation, Charli XCX opened up about the most unsettling gift she has ever received. Unlike Robbie’s story, Charli described being given a small jar containing the ashes of a fan’s deceased mother, attached to a necklace. The singer expressed how uncertain she felt about what to do with such an unusual and intense present.
She said,
“It was a jar on a necklace and I just didn’t quite know what to do with it. You don’t want to be like, ‘Well I don’t want this’. Because that could be really offensive.”
Adding to the awkwardness, Charli confessed,
“So I sort of just took it. I don’t know where it is now…”
Significance of the Disclosures and Potential Impact
Margot Robbie’s revelation sheds light on the uncomfortable dynamics women can face in the entertainment industry, where inappropriate gestures linked to appearance still occur. The incident emphasizes the ongoing challenges actresses encounter regarding body image and how such thoughtless actions can affect their confidence.
The discussion also highlights the contrast between public personas and private experiences, as both Robbie and Charli XCX shared deeply personal stories about receiving gifts that ranged from offensive to unsettling. As Robbie continues to star in prominent films like Wuthering Heights, her openness might encourage a broader conversation about respect and sensitivity on set and beyond.
