5 Shocking Behind-The-Scenes Secrets About Margot Robbie's Iconic Wolf Of Wall Street Scenes

The Wolf of Wall Street, released in 2013, remains a cinematic lightning rod, but the performance that truly set the world alight was that of a then-relatively unknown Australian actress, Margot Robbie, as Naomi Lapaglia. As of December 17, 2025, the revelations and behind-the-scenes stories surrounding her most intense and unforgettable scenes—the seduction and the final confrontation—continue to captivate audiences and redefine her breakout moment. The sheer power and complexity Robbie brought to Naomi, the second wife of financial fraudster Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), cemented her status as a global star. Beyond the glamour and the controversy, the real story lies in the surprising decisions Robbie made herself, from refusing a director's comfort offer to improvising a moment of on-screen violence that shocked everyone on set.

Margot Robbie: A Brief Biography and Filmography

Margot Robbie’s journey from Australian soap operas to Hollywood A-list is one of the most remarkable career ascents in modern cinema. Her role as Naomi Lapaglia was the explosive catalyst that launched her into the stratosphere of major motion pictures and Oscar nominations.

• Full Name: Margot Elise Robbie
• Date of Birth: July 2, 1990
• Place of Birth: Dalby, Queensland, Australia
• Breakout Role: Naomi Lapaglia in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
• Age During Filming: 22 years old
• Key Nominations: Two Academy Award nominations (Best Actress for I, Tonya and Best Supporting Actress for Bombshell)
• Production Company: Co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment, which has produced hits like I, Tonya, Promising Young Woman, and Barbie.
• Notable Filmography (Selected):
  • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
  • Focus (2015)
  • The Legend of Tarzan (2016)
  • Suicide Squad (2016) - as Harley Quinn
  • I, Tonya (2017)
  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
  • Bombshell (2019)
  • Barbie (2023)

The Truth Behind the Full Nudity Decision in the Seduction Scene

The infamous seduction scene where Naomi Lapaglia first meets Jordan Belfort and asserts her dominance is one of the most talked-about moments in the film, largely due to the full-frontal nudity. However, the decision to film this scene with complete nudity came directly from Margot Robbie, not the director, Martin Scorsese.

1. Refusing Scorsese's Offer of a Robe

Director Martin Scorsese, a veteran filmmaker known for his respect for actors, actually gave Robbie an out. He reportedly offered her a robe to wear when she walked into the room, allowing her to maintain some level of modesty during the seduction. Robbie, however, firmly refused this offer. She was only 22 at the time of filming, making her conviction all the more striking.

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2. The Character's Power, Not the Actress's Comfort

Robbie insisted on the full nudity to enhance the character's narrative and power. She argued that the entire point of the scene was for Naomi to come out completely naked, emphasizing that her body was the only currency and power she truly owned in that world. By stripping down, Naomi was taking control of the situation and asserting her dominance over Jordan Belfort, making the scene less about objectification and more about the character's agency and calculated move in a toxic environment.

3. The 'Regret' Was the Duration, Not the Nudity

While the scene is often cited as a controversial moment, Robbie later clarified that her discomfort stemmed not from the nudity itself, but from the prolonged and technical nature of the shoot. She recalled having to "pretend to touch herself for 17 hours" during the filming of the sequence. Furthermore, a separate, intensely physical sex scene with Leonardo DiCaprio resulted in her getting "millions" of paper cuts from the money scattered on the floor of the room, adding a physical layer of regret to the experience.

The Unscripted Scene That Almost Got Her 'Arrested'

While the seduction scene is the most visually shocking, the film's most powerful and memorable moment showcasing Robbie's acting chops is arguably the final confrontation between Naomi and Jordan in the nursery. This scene, which leads to their dramatic divorce, features a pivotal moment of violence that was entirely unscripted by the actress.

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4. The Improvised Slap That Shocked DiCaprio

During the intense argument, Robbie's character, Naomi, spontaneously slaps Jordan Belfort across the face. This was a complete improvisation. Robbie admitted that immediately after slapping Leonardo DiCaprio, she thought she was going to be "arrested" or fired for assaulting a co-star and disrupting the set. The sheer shock and raw emotion captured by the camera made the moment so impactful that Scorsese kept it in the final cut. This decision highlighted her commitment to the character's rage and desperation.

5. Rewriting the Divorce Scene for Authenticity

Beyond the slap, Robbie was actively involved in reshaping the confrontation scene, which is often called the "divorce scene." She, along with a co-star, felt the scripted version didn't fully capture the depth of the betrayal and anger Naomi felt. They worked on rewriting and finessing key parts of the dialogue to make Naomi’s emotional breakdown and eventual decision to leave Jordan feel more real and justified, solidifying the scene as a true acting showcase rather than just a plot point.

The Lasting Legacy of Naomi Lapaglia and the Breakout Role

Margot Robbie's portrayal of Naomi Lapaglia was more than just a breakthrough; it was a defining moment for her career and a critical element in the film's legacy. Playing the role of the glamorous, Brooklyn-born wife of a Wall Street tycoon was a massive leap for the young actress, who had only recently moved to the US.

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The film, directed by an auteur like Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, instantly put Robbie in the global spotlight. However, the sudden, intense fame that followed the movie's release was one of the lowest points in her life, as she struggled to adjust to the overwhelming scrutiny and loss of anonymity. She has since reflected on the role, sometimes expressing a desire to "redo" parts of it with the experience she has now, but the raw, unpolished power of her original performance remains undeniable.

The character of Naomi Lapaglia, with her iconic fashion and ferocious spirit, has become a pop culture entity, symbolizing the excess, seduction, and ultimate fallout of the late 80s and early 90s Wall Street culture. Robbie’s insistence on making her character a powerful, autonomous figure, even in her most vulnerable moments, is what truly elevates the role beyond a typical "trophy wife" stereotype and ensures the scene's continued analysis and discussion years later.