Margot Robbie recently spoke about the worst present she has ever been given, highlighting a moment early in her career that left her both shocked and offended. The Australian actress and producer recounted the incident during a video interview with Charli xcx for Complex, where she was asked to name the most uncomfortable gift she had received.
Robbie explained that very early on, a male colleague handed her a copy of the lifestyle book Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, which she found inappropriate and insulting.
The Message Behind the Gift and Robbie’s Reaction
The book, written by Mireille Guiliano and published in 2007, essentially promotes eating less to maintain weight. Robbie, 35, was clear about her feelings at the time.
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 said.
She added a blunt response to the sender:
I was like, ‘Whoa, f— you, dude.’
The actress noted that this happened quite some time ago and she is unaware of the actor’s whereabouts now.
Charli xcx interjected humorously during the interview, joking, Your career’s over, babe.
Robbie reflected on the intention behind the gift, stating,
He essentially gave me a book to let me know that I should lose weight,
and added, I was like, ‘Wow.’
Context: Wuthering Heights and Charli xcx’s Own Unsettling Experience
The discussion took place as Robbie was promoting Wuthering Heights, Emerald Fennell’s new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, which is set to be released in cinemas on Friday, February 13. Robbie leads the film’s cast, which also includes Jacob Elordi, Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell. Charli xcx, meanwhile, contributed original music to the project.
During the conversation, Charli xcx shared her own disturbing experience related to unusual presents, recalling that she once received
a small jar of one of my fan’s mother’s ashes
. She described it as a jar on a necklace and admitted confusion over how to respond to such a gift:
I just didn’t quite know what to do with it … I don’t know where it is now.
Why This Moment Resonates and What It Reveals
Robbie’s account highlights a troubling episode reflective of the pressures and intrusive attitudes women often face early in their careers, especially in industries like entertainment. Such unwanted gestures not only upset but underline broader issues around body image and respect in professional environments.
As she moves forward with new projects like Wuthering Heights, Robbie continues to resonate with audiences through her openness and authenticity, bringing attention to personal and societal challenges that affect many figures in the public eye.
