Margot Robbie recently revealed why she was adamant about including full-frontal nudity in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” The film, released in 2013, features Robbie as Naomi Lapaglia, the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jordan Belfort, a real-life stockbroker whose journey of success and subsequent downfall is portrayed, highlighting the hedonistic lifestyle fueled by quaaludes.
This role was a turning point for Robbie, propelling her into international stardom and significantly advancing her acting career. Her performance received acclaim, and the film itself was a massive box office success, grossing $406.9 million globally.
The chemistry between Robbie and DiCaprio was a highlight for both audiences and critics alike.
In a recent interview, the 34-year-old Oscar-nominated actress recounted how director Martin Scorsese, now 82, had been receptive to modifying the nude scene to suit her comfort level by offering her the option to wear a robe.
During an appearance on the Talking Pictures podcast, Robbie detailed her stance, recalling her words: “But I said, ‘That’s not what she would do in that scene. The whole point is that she’s going to come out completely naked — that’s the card she’s playing.”
In past discussions, Robbie has opened up about the aftermath of the film’s explicit scenes, particularly how it was received by her family.
According to her, one of her siblings was so shocked by the film’s content that he avoided speaking to her for three months.
“I can’t tell you how uncomfortable that was. One of my brothers didn’t speak to me for three months afterwards – not because he was mad, he was just, like: ‘I just need a minute before I can consider you my sister again!’” Robbie commented.
Initially, Robbie was uncertain about appearing nude, despite her manager advising that “if there’s ever going to be a time for nudity, this is the director you do it with.”
Ultimately, she decided to proceed with the scene where Naomi entices Jordan, as she believed it was true to the character’s nature.
In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, she expressed her views on nudity in cinema: “I think nudity for the sake of nudity is shameful. If they’ve put it in just so that a girl gets her top off, then that’s disgusting. And you can always tell.”
She further elaborated: “But I also think it’s disgusting when someone would have got naked in real life, in the film they conveniently leave their bra on, or hold up the bed sheet. Seeing someone being choreographed into being covered up irritates me just as much.”
Robbie added: “The whole point of Naomi is that her body is her only form of currency in this world. So when Marty [Scorsese] was trying to help me out, and said in the scene where she seduces Jordan perhaps I could have a robe on, I said she wouldn’t. She has to be naked.”