Margot Robbie Says Barbie Is ‘Sexualized’ but Not Sexy, Tried to Cast Gal Gadot Because of Her ‘Barbie Energy’: ‘You Don’t Hate Her for Being That Beautiful’
2023/07/27

ADVERTISEMENT

Margot Robbie's "Barbie" movie casts Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon and more as different iterations of the iconic Mattel doll, but the first actor Robbie envisioned as a Barbie in the film was none other than Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot. She wasn't available, but Robbie explained to Vogue that Gadot's "Barbie energy" became a template for casting all of the film's Barbie roles.

What exactly is Barbie energy? "Gal Gadot is Barbie energy," Robbie said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Because Gal Gadot is so impossibly beautiful, but you don't hate her for being that beautiful because she's so genuinely sincere, and she's so enthusiastically kind, that it's almost dorky. It's like right before being a dork."

In playing the main Barbie character herself, Robbie also had to sort through questions regarding beauty and sexiness. After all, Barbie is a children's doll.

"I'm like, 'Okay, she's a doll. She's a plastic doll. She doesn't have organs.

ADVERTISEMENT

If she doesn't have organs, she doesn't have reproductive organs. If she doesn't have reproductive organs, would she even feel sexual desire?' No, I don't think she could," Robbie said.

"She is sexualized. But she should never be sexy. People can project sex onto her. Yes, she can wear a short skirt, but because it's fun and pink. Not because she wanted you to see her butt."

Robbie produced "Barbie" through her production company LuckyChap. Her pitch to Mattel to get the rights to the character included a frank discussion on how the film would have to include not just people loving the doll but also hating it as well.

"We of course would want to honor the 60-year legacy that this brand has," Robbie said in her pitch.

ADVERTISEMENT

"But we have to acknowledge that there are a lot of people who aren't fans of Barbie. And in fact, aren't just indifferent to Barbie. They actively hate Barbie. And have a real issue with Barbie. We need to find a way to acknowledge that."

ADVERTISEMENT

Miss the Deadline, Pay Full Price: Baby Deals 2/14–2/18
2026/02/05
Stop Calling It a “Scam List” — You’re Missing the FREE Axe Coupon 🪒
2026/02/05
This Week’s Freebies: Pay First, Claim Fast, Don’t Miss ⏱️
2026/02/04
Big Game Deals: Verify Offers in 30 Seconds, Save More! 🏈
2026/02/04
Nintendo Switch 2 $375 Pickup—Stop Paying $499 by Accident! 🎮
2026/02/04
Walgreens Coupon Math: “Earn $5 RR” Happens After You Pay—Roll It Smart for Bigger Savings
2026/02/04
DG Saturday Only: Stack $5 Off $25 + the Chips Freebie—Do It Friday and It’s Full-Price!
2026/02/04
Costco Exit Receipt Check Isn’t Foolproof—You Can Still Lose $40 to a Double Charge
2026/02/04
STOP Calling It “Costco 3B Member”—It’s Not VIP, and It Can Slow You Down 😅
2026/02/03
Costco Receipt Alert: If It Dropped in 30 Days, Go Get Your Money
2026/02/03
CVS Truth: No Coupon, No “$16 Haul.”
2026/02/02
DG Saturday Stack Trap: One Wrong Item and $5 Off $25 Won’t Apply 😅🛒
2026/02/02
He Kept Working. She Kept Recording. Who Lost Dignity?
2026/01/29
A Label Says Five Pounds. The Scale Says Two. Which One Are You Supposed to Trust?
2026/01/29
If Your Neighbor Blocks Your Driveway and Disappears, What Do You Owe Them?
2026/01/29
A Child Was 13. An Adult Was the Teacher. Why Is This Even Being Argued?
2026/01/29
She broke the law and paid the price — why do people still want more?
2026/01/29
JLo Gets Dragged for a Stage Outfit—But If a Male Performer Did It, They’d Call It “Dedication.”
2026/01/28
When ‘The Customer Is Always Right’ Finally Breaks 💥 Should Businesses Fire Impossible Customers?
2026/01/28
If Even Kristen Stewart Had to Become a Director to Be Respected — What Does That Say About Hollywood?
2026/01/28