Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Margot Robbie ‘horrified’ at how little she knew about sexual harassment at workplace before making Bombshell

‘The situation isn’t black and white’

Peony Hirwani
Wednesday 23 November 2022 05:28 GMT
Comments
Margot Robbie reveals she was ‘mortified’ after Barbie photos leaked

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Margot Robbie has revealed that working on her 2019 film Bombshell made her realise how little she knew about sexual harassment at the workplace.

The 32-year-old actor opened up about her career and experience in the film industry when the topic was brought up at a BAFTA Life in Pictures talk.

Discussing her Bombshell character Kayla Pospisil, Robbie said the role was easy to shake because of the difficult subject matter.

“The second I could stop being Kayla, I did,” she said. “It was definitely something I wanted to tap out of at the end.”

Bombshell is based on the accounts of the women at Fox News who set out to expose CEO Roger Ailes for alleged sexual harassment.

“I realised that I – as a person with an established position in the industry, financially set up and self-sufficient – I didn’t know the definition of sexual harassment, and that’s shocking,” Robbie said.

She added that she was “horrified” about how little she knew about sexual harassment before this film and how it “flourishes in the grey area” of respective industries.

“Roger Ailes or Harvey Weinstein, they take advantage of the area,” the Barbie star said. “The situation isn’t black and white.”

Despite criticism over its 'factual inaccuracy', Kelly said she would not want to cut the scene because it represented a moment of regret in her career
Despite criticism over its 'factual inaccuracy', Kelly said she would not want to cut the scene because it represented a moment of regret in her career (Bombshell)

Earlier this month, Robbie also reflected on the early years of her career, saying she wasn’t prepared for the consequences of fame she experienced after starring in 2013’s Wolf of Wall Street.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

The actor was only 23 when she landed her breakout role as Naomi Lapaglia, the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort, in Martin Scorsese’s dark comedy based on the real-life former stockbroker and his criminal behaviour defrauding wealthy investors out of millions.

“Something was happening in those early stages and it was all pretty awful, and I remember saying to my mom, ‘I don’t think I want to do this,’” she told Vanity Fair.

“And she just looked at me, completely straight-faced, and was like, ‘Darling, I think it’s too late not to.’ That’s when I realised the only way was forward.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in