So, everyone remembers the first time they saw The Wolf of Wall Street. It was 2013, and Martin Scorsese basically dropped a three-hour fever dream of drugs, money, and chaos onto the world. But if you ask anyone about the most "talked about" moment, they’re inevitably going to mention the scene where we meet Naomi Lapaglia in her most vulnerable—or rather, most powerful—state. Margot Robbie nude in Wolf of Wall Street became an instant piece of cinematic history, but the story of how it actually happened is way more interesting than what you see on screen.
Honestly, it wasn’t some studio mandate. It wasn’t even Scorsese’s idea.
At the time, Margot was a relatively unknown actress from Australia. She’d done some TV work, sure, but she was suddenly standing on a set with Leonardo DiCaprio and one of the greatest directors of all time. You’d think she would be terrified and looking for any way to cover up. Instead, she did the opposite.
The Decision Most People Get Wrong
There’s this common misconception that actors are forced into these scenes or that they just do them for the "shock factor." But with Margot, it was a tactical career move. Scorsese, being the gentleman he is, actually offered her a way out. He told her she could wear a robe or find a way to stay partially covered.
She said no.
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"That’s not what she would do in that scene," Margot later explained on the Talking Pictures podcast. She felt that for Naomi, her body was her currency. It was the only way she could truly exert power over a guy like Jordan Belfort, who already had all the money in the world. By coming out completely naked, she was playing her strongest card. It was about character, not just being provocative.
Tequila Shots and 17-Hour Days
Don't think for a second that it was easy, though. No matter how much you believe in the "art," standing in a room with 30 crew members—mostly guys—while you’re wearing nothing but high heels is awkward. Like, "I want to crawl into a hole" awkward.
To get through it, Margot famously took three shots of tequila before the cameras started rolling. It helped stop her hands from shaking and gave her that "Naomi" confidence she needed to stare down Leo.
The nursery scene, where she’s teasing Jordan, was actually a nightmare to film. They spent about 17 hours in that tiny room. Think about that. Seventeen hours of pretending to be seductive while a bunch of guys adjust lights and eat sandwiches a few feet away. It’s not glamorous. It’s work.
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Why She Lied to Her Family
Can you imagine having to explain this to your parents? Margot couldn’t either. For a long time, she just flat-out lied to them. She told her family in Australia, "I don't care what you hear, there is no nudity. I’m not doing it."
When the rumors got too loud, she changed her story. She told them it was a body double and that the editors had just CGI’d her head onto someone else’s body. Since her family wasn’t in the industry, they actually believed her for a while.
Eventually, the truth came out. One of her brothers didn't speak to her for three months after seeing the movie. He wasn't even mad; he just needed a minute to process that "that was his sister." It’s a pretty human reaction, honestly.
The Slap That Changed Everything
While the nudity got the headlines, it was actually a slap that got her the job. During her audition with DiCaprio, the script called for them to kiss. Margot knew she had to do something to stand out.
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She walked up to him, and instead of kissing the biggest movie star on the planet, she walloped him in the face.
The room went dead silent. Margot thought she was going to get arrested for assault. Then Scorsese and Leo just started howling with laughter. They loved the fire she brought. That same fire is what made her insist on the nudity later on; she wasn't there to play a "safe" version of the character.
The Impact on Her Career
Look at where she is now. Barbie, I, Tonya, Suicide Squad. She could have easily been pigeonholed as just another "blonde bombshell" after Wolf of Wall Street. But because she approached that scene—and the whole role—with such agency and intelligence, the industry saw her as a powerhouse.
She’s even joked about looking back at the scene when she’s 50 and thinking, "Whoop, whoop, look how good mum looked." She’s proud of it. And honestly, she should be. She took a moment that could have been exploitative and turned it into the foundation of a massive career.
Actionable Insights for Movie Fans and Aspiring Actors:
- Understand Character Intent: If you're ever analyzing a film, look at why a scene exists. In this case, the nudity was a plot device to show power dynamics, not just filler.
- Agency Matters: Margot’s story shows that having a voice on set—even when you’re "new"—can change the entire trajectory of a project.
- Differentiate Between Performance and Reality: Remember that what looks "sexy" on screen is often the result of 17-hour days, tequila shots, and a lot of uncomfortable technical work.
- Trust the Director: Margot has often said she only did it because she trusted Scorsese. Finding collaborators you trust is the only way to do vulnerable work safely.