Acclaimed actress Margot Robbie has opened up about the eye-opening experience of portraying a victim of 𝑠e𝑥ual harassment for her role in the 2019 film Bombshell.
In a recent interview, the Oscar-nominated star admitted that she “didn’t know what 𝑠e𝑥ual harassment was” until she read the script for the high-profile drama, which delved into the 𝑠e𝑥ual misconduct allegations against former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.
“That really shocked me,” Robbie said. “I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what 𝑠e𝑥ual harassment was, but when I read the script, I realized I had no idea.”
The 32-year-old Australian actress, who played Kayla Pospisil, a fictional Fox News employee caught up in the scandal, explained that the process of researching and embodying her character was a powerful learning experience.
“Reading all the research and the testimonies of the real women who went through this, it was just heartbreaking,” Robbie said. “I had no concept of the scale and pervasiveness of this kind of abuse in the workplace. It was truly eye-opening.”
In the film, Robbie’s character is a young, ambitious journalist who becomes the target of Ailes’ predatory behavior, facing unwanted advances and exploitation in order to advance her career.
“Kayla’s story is, unfortunately, all too common,” Robbie said. “So many women have experienced this kind of abuse and power dynamic, and they’re forced to choose between their dignity and their dreams.”
The actress, known for her roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad, said that portraying Kayla’s trauma was one of the most challenging and impactful experiences of her career.
“I had to really immerse myself in the reality of what these women went through,” Robbie explained. “It was emotionally draining, but I felt a responsibility to get it right and to shine a light on this important issue.”
Robbie’s candid comments highlight the vital role that the entertainment industry can play in educating the public and sparking important conversations around social issues like 𝑠e𝑥ual harassment.
By bringing Kayla’s story to life on the big screen, Robbie hopes that Bombshell will continue to raise awareness and inspire meaningful change in workplaces across the globe.
“If my performance can help even one person understand the devastating impact of 𝑠e𝑥ual harassment,” Robbie said, “then I’ll consider it a job well done.”
