Margot Robbie recalls receiving book from co-star telling her to ‘eat less’ early in career
Robbie shared the story during a video interview with Charli XCX while promoting ‘Wuthering Heights’
Margot Robbie has spoken about an uncomfortable experience from the early stages of her acting career, revealing that a male co-star once gave her a book which she felt was intended to criticise her weight.
The Australian actress shared the story during a video interview with Charli XCX for Complex, conducted while promoting their collaboration on Wuthering Heights. Robbie explained that the incident occurred “very, very early in my career” and involved a fellow actor presenting her with a copy of Why French Women Don’t Get Fat.
“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,” Robbie said. She described her immediate reaction, adding, “And I was like, ‘Whoa, f–k you, dude.’”
Robbie, now 35, said the moment left a lasting impression, even though she does not recall what became of the actor involved. “He essentially gave me a book to let me know that I should lose weight,” she said. “I was like, ‘Wow.’” Charli XCX responded bluntly during the interview, quipping, “Your career’s over, babe.”
The book referenced by Robbie appears to be Mireille Guiliano’s French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, first published in 2007. While the book is described by its publisher as a guide to healthy living rather than a diet manual, Robbie said the gesture felt inappropriate and offensive in a professional setting.
The actress has recently been in the spotlight while promoting the latest adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, in which she stars alongside Jacob Elordi. Robbie has also drawn attention for her fashion choices during the press tour, including jewellery inspired by the Brontë sisters at the film’s UK premiere.
