Margot Robbie recalls being handed a book urging her to eat less early in her career

9 February 2026

Margot Robbie in Los Angeles on April 13, 2024. Credit : Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Margot Robbie, the Australian actress whose rise from soap-opera beginnings to global movie stardom has been marked by memorable performances and business savvy, recently opened up about one of the most insulting moments she encountered early in her career. In a candid conversation with pop star Charli XCX for Complex, Robbie was asked to recount the worst gift she had ever received. Without hesitation she shared an anecdote that was both jarring and revealing about the pressures faced by women in Hollywood.

Robbie recalled that a male co-star once handed her a copy of Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, a lifestyle book suggesting she should eat less to manage her weight. Her reaction at the time was blunt and immediate Whoa, dude, she said, underscoring the incredulity and frustration she felt when confronted with what amounted to unsolicited commentary on her body.

The anecdote, Robbie explained with humor and a hint of disbelief, occurred very, very early in her career before she had solidified her place in the industry. She didn’t name the actor involved and made clear that the moment was an old memory, something that happened back when she was still finding her footing professionally.

The book, written by Mireille Guiliano and first published in 2007, was presented as a supposedly thoughtful gift though Robbie and many listeners would rightly interpret it as anything but thoughtful, instead reading it as a commentary on how others perceived her appearance. For an actress whose talent and versatility have defined her career far more than superficial chatter about looks, the story stood as a reminder of the unfortunate way body image can infiltrate even professional settings.

Robbie’s experience is hardly unique in an industry where appearance and performance are inextricably linked, often to a fault. Women in Hollywood have historically been under intense scrutiny, with even minor deviations from arbitrary standards drawing commentary that can feel intrusive or dehumanizing. Robbie’s anecdote about the book fits into a broader narrative about the unsolicited advice and pressure that actresses regularly face, especially early in their careers before they have established their own identities and influence. It reflects the way that casual remarks or gestures, even when cloaked in the guise of concern or encouragement, can reveal deeper biases about beauty, weight and worth, particularly toward women in the public eye.

Robbie is no stranger to reflecting on her journey in the spotlight with a blend of candor and resilience. Born in Dalby, Queensland, Australia, she grew up on a farm and gradually gravitated toward acting, a path she pursued with determination and discipline. Her breakout role came on Australian television before transitioning to Hollywood, where she earned acclaim in films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, I, Tonya and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Her production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, has championed diverse storytelling and propelled projects like Barbie into both critical and commercial success, showcasing her creative range far beyond her onscreen presence.

Yet even as she has ascended to global prominence becoming one of the most recognizable actresses in the world Robbie remains refreshingly grounded when recounting moments like the gift of the diet book. Her immediate and unfiltered reaction in the interview, a mix of surprise, irritation and good-natured disbelief underscored that this kind of commentary often says more about the giver than the recipient. Robbie’s recounting of the incident was not an exercise in grievance so much as a reflection on how perception and reality can collide in Hollywood, generating moments that are uncomfortable, absurd and instructive all at once.

The conversation with Charli XCX also highlighted Robbie’s evolving confidence and self-assurance, traits that have no doubt contributed to her longevity in a notoriously fickle industry. By the time she shared the story, Robbie had already navigated years of public scrutiny, career milestones and personal growth. With each role and project, she has demonstrated a capacity to defy narrow expectations be they related to genre, appearance or public persona and to carve out a career defined by depth and variety rather than conformity.

In discussing the book gift, Robbie’s offhand remark, I have no idea where he would even be now conveyed a mix of indifference and perspective. It was a moment that might once have felt jarring or discouraging, yet in hindsight it became another chapter in her story, a reminder of how far she has come both professionally and personally. It also offered a broader commentary on the importance of respecting individuality and the hard-earned confidence that comes with experience.

Robbie’s recounting of this peculiar and insensitive encounter quickly resonated with fans and viewers, sparking conversations about body image, unsolicited advice and the often ridiculous standards imposed on women in the spotlight. Her willingness to share the story with humor but also a clear underlying message served less as a complaint and more as a testament to resilience, self-possession and the ability to rise above commentary that seeks to diminish rather than uplift.