Margot Robbie revealed an early experience in her career involving a rude coworker who handed her a book meant to suggest she should lose weight. The Australian actress recalled this incident while discussing her journey with Charli XCX, highlighting the unprofessional and hurtful nature of the encounter.
An Unwelcome Gift Early in Margot Robbie’s Career
Speaking to Charli XCX for Complex, Robbie shared,
“Very, very early in my career, an actor I worked with, a male actor gave me a book called French Women Don’t Get Fat, and it was essentially a book telling you to eat less,”
reflecting on the moment a colleague gave her Mireille Guiliano’s 2007 publication. She expressed her frustration bluntly:
“And I was like, f— you, dude.”
She further explained the implication behind the gift:
“He essentially gave me a book to let me know that I should lose weight. I was like, ‘Wow.’”
This experience happened around the time Robbie was establishing her acting career with initial credits in television and film.
Margot Robbie’s Rising Career and Notable Roles
Robbie’s breakout visibility came with her role in the TV series Pan Am and later as Jordan Belfort’s love interest in 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street, working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Since then, she has starred in high-profile films such as Suicide Squad (2016), I, Tonya (2017), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Bombshell (2019), and Barbie (2023).
Upcoming Role as Catherine in Wuthering Heights
Robbie is set to appear in a fresh adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic gothic romance Wuthering Heights, directed and written by Emerald Fennell. She plays Catherine, the passionate lover of Heathcliff, who will be portrayed by Jacob Elordi. The film’s release is scheduled for February 13, coinciding with the launch of its soundtrack by Charli XCX.
Robbie praised Elordi’s performance, noting to Vogue U.K.,
“I saw him play Heathcliff, and he is Heathcliff,”
emphasizing the actor’s embodiment of the role. She highlighted the legacy of actors like Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, Ralph Fiennes, and Tom Hardy who have portrayed Heathcliff, adding,
“He’s incredible, and I believe in him so much. I honestly think he’s our generation’s Daniel Day-Lewis.”
Director Emerald Fennell Praises Robbie’s Powerful Presence
Emerald Fennell, known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, spoke highly of Robbie during the Brontë Women’s Writing Festival. Fennell described Robbie’s star power as extraordinary:
“It needed somebody like Margot, who’s a star, not just an incredible actress — which she is — but somebody who has a power, an otherworldly power, a Godlike power, that means people lose their minds.”
Significance of This Moment and What’s Ahead
This candid revelation about facing a “rude coworker” early on highlights the pressures and criticisms women often endure in the entertainment industry. Margot Robbie’s continued success and commitment to challenging roles demonstrate her resilience and growing influence. The upcoming Wuthering Heights movie, featuring Robbie alongside Jacob Elordi, is anticipated to bring fresh energy to a classic story, while simultaneously showcasing Robbie’s evolving career on an international stage.
