Margot Robbie walked into her Wolf of Wall Street audition at 22 years old with no Hollywood credits to her name—and walked out with the role after one split-second decision. That choice, and another she made years later on set, helped turn an unknown Australian actress into a global star. Here’s what actually happened, according to Robbie herself and the people who were there.

4 related posts

Character Played: Naomi Lapaglia · Audition Highlight: Improvised slap on Leonardo DiCaprio · Key Scene Insistence: Full-frontal nudity was her idea · Film Release Year: 2013

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Slapped Leonardo DiCaprio during audition instead of kissing him (LADbible)
  • Insisted on full-frontal nudity despite Scorsese offering a robe option (E News)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact filming dates for the seduction scene within 2012
  • Whether DiCaprio or Scorsese have given extended on-record comments about the audition moment
3Timeline signal
  • Audition slap: 2012 (LADbible)
  • Film release: December 25, 2013 (LADbible)
  • Podcast reflections: December 2024 (LADbible)
4What’s next
  • Robbie reflects on these early career decisions as benchmarks for actor agency in intimate scenes

The table below consolidates the key verified facts about Robbie’s role, audition, and scene decisions.

Fact Detail
Role Name Naomi Lapaglia
Audition Improv Slap on Leonardo DiCaprio
Scene Choice Insisted on full nudity
Source Confirmation Wikipedia, LADbible, Grazia
Age During Filming 22 years old
Director Martin Scorsese

How old was Margot Robbie when Wolf of Wall Street?

Margot Robbie was 22 years old during the filming of The Wolf of Wall Street in 2012 (LADbible). She was an unknown Australian actress with no major Hollywood credits before landing the role of Naomi Lapaglia, Jordan Belfort’s second wife in the film. By comparison, Robbie was 34 years old in 2024 when she reflected on these early career decisions during a Talking Pictures podcast appearance.

What age was Margot Robbie when she filmed Wolf of Wall Street?

Robbie filmed the seduction scene—the one that would become one of the most talked-about moments in her career—at 22. She had “a couple shots of tequila” before filming because she was “very nervous,” she told an audience at a BAFTA event (LADbible). The production even maintained an “entire merkin room” of prosthetic pubic hair wigs for use in period pieces or nudity scenes—a detail Robbie herself described as “a wig but for genitalia.”

The film itself premiered on December 25, 2013, giving audiences their first look at the breakout moment that would define Robbie’s early Hollywood identity (E News).

Bottom line: Robbie was a 22-year-old newcomer navigating an intimate scene with one of cinema’s most celebrated directors—a context that makes her insistence on full nudity for character authenticity even more striking.

Did Margot Robbie do the scene in Wolf of Wall Street?

Margot Robbie did perform the full-frontal nude scene, and it was entirely her decision. Martin Scorsese suggested she could wear a robe for comfort, but Robbie rejected the option outright (E News). She explained that the character’s entire arc in that moment demanded complete vulnerability: “The whole point is that she’s going to come out completely naked—that’s the card she’s playing right now.”

Did Margot Robbie show her privates in Wolf of Wall Street?

Yes. The seduction scene shows Robbie’s character arriving at her apartment and revealing herself fully to Jordan Belfort. Robbie later said she believed at the time that the focus would be on Leonardo DiCaprio, underestimating how much attention her performance would receive (LADbible).

On set, Robbie also pushed DiCaprio’s head out of her light and told him to move, which shocked him. “He was just incredulous,” Robbie recalled (E News).

The upshot

Robbie’s choice wasn’t just bold—it was a deliberate power move to match the character’s boldness. She wasn’t reacting to the scene; she was defining it.

Did Margot Robbie wear knickers in Wolf of Wall Street?

Discussions of Robbie’s wardrobe in that specific scene have circulated widely, with fan discussions and scene breakdowns confirming that Naomi Lapaglia wears nothing beneath her dress during the seduction sequence. The original script called for a moment where her heel would be used to remove underwear—but the choreography was deemed impossible to execute convincingly, leading to the final version where Robbie simply steps out of her dress.

Margot Robbie Wolf of Wall Street scene picture

The scene remains one of the most replayed moments from the 2013 film, frequently shared across social media and discussed in film analysis content. Robbie’s comfort with the material—and her ownership of it—set a tone that would influence how she approached future intimate scenes throughout her career.

Why this matters

Robbie’s insistence on full nudity gave her character a power dynamic that a partial reveal couldn’t have achieved. It was her first major Hollywood film, and she made a choice that veteran actors often avoid.

Does Margot Robbie regret doing Wolf of Wall Street?

There’s no public record of Margot Robbie expressing regret about the scene. In December 2024, she reflected on the experience during the Talking Pictures podcast, discussing both the audition decision and the on-set choices with candor but not regret (LADbible). Her tone has been consistently matter-of-fact: she made a choice, she owned it, and she moved forward.

What scene did Margot Robbie refuse to do in Wolf of Wall Street?

The only documented “refusal” was actually Scorsese offering an alternative—and Robbie declining it. There are no confirmed reports of Robbie refusing any scripted scene in the film. The robe option was a comfort suggestion from the director, not a requirement she pushed back against; she simply preferred the version that served the character.

Bottom line: Robbie showed early in her career that she would advocate for her creative vision, even when it meant pushing back on suggestions from one of cinema’s most respected directors.

What ethnicity is Margot Robbie?

Margot Robbie is Australian, born on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Her background is Australian—her mother is a physiotherapist and her father was a former race-car driver. She grew up in Dalby, Queensland, before moving to Melbourne to pursue acting. The casting of an Australian actress as Naomi Lapaglia—a character based on a real person—wasn’t highlighted as unusual in casting discussions, and Robbie’s nationality hasn’t been a significant factor in how the role or performance has been discussed in media coverage.

Behind the scenes of The Wolf of Wall Street with Margot Robbie

Beyond the two iconic decisions (the audition slap and the nude scene), Robbie’s time on The Wolf of Wall Street established her reputation for boldness and preparation. She was working alongside established stars—Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill—yet consistently made choices that centered her character’s agency rather than her own comfort.

Her approach set a precedent that she’s spoken about in subsequent interviews: the importance of understanding why a scene requires what it requires, and then committing fully to that requirement rather than half-stepping.

The pattern

Robbie’s Wolf of Wall Street decisions weren’t reckless—they were calculated risks based on character logic. Every choice she made served the narrative first. For those interested in more of his work, you can explore Austin Butler films and series.

Quotes from The Wolf of Wall Street

“I thought, ‘I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now, and that would be awesome. I can’t wait to tell all of my friends this.’ And then I thought, ‘Nah.’ And just walloped him in the face.”

— Margot Robbie, actress (TYLA)

“The whole point is that she’s going to come out completely naked—that’s the card she’s playing right now.”

— Margot Robbie, actress (LADbible)

“I’m not going to lie, I had a couple of shots of tequila before that scene because I was nervous.”

— Margot Robbie, actress (LADbible)

Related reading: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Cast · Stanley Tucci Movies and TV Shows

Additional sources

ladbible.com

Margot Robbie’s daring scenes as Naomi Lapaglia in The Wolf of Wall Street, highlighted in this Swedish analysis of her breakout, propelled her stardom after she slapped DiCaprio at 22.

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Frequently asked questions

What was Margot Robbie’s role in Wolf of Wall Street?

Robbie played Naomi Lapaglia, Jordan Belfort’s second wife in the film. The character appears in several key scenes including the seduction sequence that became one of Robbie’s most discussed moments.

How did Margot Robbie land the role?

During her audition, Robbie improvised by slapping Leonardo DiCaprio in the face instead of kissing him as written in the script. There was dead silence for about three seconds before Scorsese and DiCaprio burst out laughing and approved the choice (LADbible).

What is the nursery scene in Wolf of Wall Street?

The nursery scene refers to a moment in the film involving Robbie’s character in a domestic setting. It represents one of several scenes where Naomi Lapaglia interacts with her husband Jordan Belfort.

What is the opening scene with Margot Robbie?

The film’s opening doesn’t feature Robbie directly—it introduces Jordan Belfort—but Robbie appears early in the film as her character is introduced to the audience through the seduction scene.

What behind the scenes facts exist about Robbie in Wolf of Wall Street?

Key behind-the-scenes facts include Robbie’s insistence on full nudity, her tequila-fueled nerves before the nude scene, her audition slap improvisation, and her on-set moment pushing DiCaprio out of her light (E News).

What is Margot Robbie Wolf of Wall Street blue dress scene?

The blue dress refers to one of several wardrobe moments featuring Robbie’s character. The seduction scene with the reveal is the most iconic visual associated with Robbie in the film.

Does Margot Robbie regret doing Wolf of Wall Street?

There is no public record of Robbie expressing regret. She has discussed the experience with candor during podcast appearances in 2024, framing her decisions as deliberate character choices rather than regrets.

For actors entering high-profile intimate scenes for the first time, the lesson from Robbie’s Wolf of Wall Street experience is straightforward: understand the character logic, advocate for your vision, and commit fully—or don’t do it at all. Robbie’s willingness to push back on a suggestion from Martin Scorsese and insist on full nudity for the sake of authenticity wasn’t recklessness—it was the kind of agency that separates breakout performances from forgettable ones.