Margot Robbie reveals that her iconic full frontal nude scene as Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed film, The Wolf of Wall Street, was a creative choice she made herself. During an engaging discussion with Ben Mankiewicz on the Talking Pictures podcast, the talented actress shared that she envisioned this scene as pivotal for her character. At that moment, she wasn’t preoccupied with the thought of how it would be perceived by the audience, focusing instead on the authentic portrayal of her character’s boldness and complexity.

In her compelling recounting, Robbie shared that the legendary director, Scorsese, offered her the option to wear a robe if she felt uncomfortable during the scene. However, she felt it was crucial for her character to appear completely naked, emphasizing the raw vulnerability and strength that Naomi possesses. She expressed that the essence of her character’s actions was to be unguarded and fearless, stating, “The whole point is that she’s going to come out completely naked—that’s the card she’s playing right now.” This fearless approach to her role has contributed significantly to Robbie’s reputation as a daring and versatile actress.

In an amusing anecdote about her audition, Margot Robbie recalled how she decided to stand out by unexpectedly slapping Leonardo DiCaprio. Initially, the scene called for a kiss between their characters, but Robbie had a different idea. She thought to herself, “I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now, and that would be awesome. I can’t wait to tell all of my friends this.” However, after a moment of contemplation, she opted for a bolder move and slapped him instead, leading to a moment of stunned silence that felt like an eternity, though it was likely just a few seconds.

Robbie continued to share her thoughts on that daring moment, noting the immediate reaction from the room. “They just burst out laughing. Leo and Marty were laughing so hard. They said, ‘That was great.’” Despite her initial panic about potentially crossing a line, she found relief in their laughter, reflecting on her fear of being reprimanded for her boldness. “I’m going to get arrested, I’m pretty sure that’s assault or battery,” she humorously recounted, showing that even in moments of spontaneity, she had the self-awareness to question her actions while also reveling in the thrill of her unique audition strategy.

Following the monumental success of The Wolf of Wall Street, Margot Robbie’s career skyrocketed, leading her to take on diverse roles in blockbuster films such as Suicide Squad, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and the sensation Barbie. However, not every project meets with universal acclaim, as evidenced by her recent film, Babylon, which received a spectrum of mixed reviews. Robbie articulated her bewilderment regarding the negative reception of the film, which portrays the tumultuous rise and fall of various characters during a decadent period of early Hollywood. “I still can’t figure out why people really hated it,” Robbie reflected. Her thoughts echoed the sentiments about misunderstood films, likening it to classics that were initially panned but later celebrated, saying, “I wonder if in 20 years people are going to be like, ‘Wait, Babylon didn’t do well at the time? That’s crazy.’”