Margot Robbie shared details about an offensive gift she received from a male co-star during the early stages of her career, a moment she has not forgotten. In a recent interview, the actress spoke candidly about the rude book given to her, highlighting an unsettling experience that still lingers.
During a Monday video interview for Complex’s GOAT Talk series with Charli XCX, Robbie was asked to recall the worst gift she had ever received. The Barbie and Wuthering Heights star answered without hesitation, revealing the nature of the inappropriate present.
The Offensive Book and Its Impact on Robbie
Robbie described receiving a book titled Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, handed to her by a male actor she worked with very early on. She explained,
“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,”
Margot Robbie recalled. She added,
“I was like, ‘Woah. F—k you, dude.’”
When asked if the actor was still in the industry, Robbie said,
“That was a very [long time ago]. I have no idea where he would even be now. This was really back in the day.”
Charli XCX interjected with a jab, joking, Your career’s over, babe.
Robbie emphasized the intent behind the gift, stating,
“He essentially gave me a book to let me know that I should lose weight,”
and expressed her shock with a simple “Wow.”
Background on the Book and Robbie’s Career Progression
The book in question was written by Mireille Guiliano, a French author and painter, and published in 2004. Shortly after receiving this gift, Robbie began her screen career in 2008 with roles in television series such as Neighbours, City Homicide, and Review with Myles Barlow. Her breakout moment came five years later with a supporting role in 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street.
Since then, Robbie has become a prominent figure in Hollywood, earning three Oscar nominations. She was recognized for her acting in I, Tonya (2018) and Bombshell (2020), as well as for producing and starring in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which received a Best Picture nomination in 2024.
Latest Projects and Collaborations
This week, Margot Robbie stars in Wuthering Heights, a period drama directed and written by Emerald Fennell of Saltburn fame. Based on Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Robbie leads alongside Jacob Elordi, who also appeared in Saltburn. Charli XCX contributed to the film’s soundtrack with new pop songs created specifically for the project.
In the same Complex interview, when asked to name the Greatest Actor of All Time, Robbie chose Philip Seymour Hoffman. She said,
“I want to say Philip Seymour Hoffman,”
which XCX enthusiastically noted, You stole mine! Charli XCX stars opposite Hoffman’s son, Cooper, in Gregg Araki’s film I Want Your Sex, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was recently acquired by Magnolia Pictures.
Upcoming Release Date and Outlook
Wuthering Heights is scheduled for release in theaters on Friday, February 13. Margot Robbie’s ongoing work, including this new film and her past achievements, suggests she will continue to maintain her status as a leading figure in the entertainment industry, while the memories of early career challenges remain part of her story.
