The Triple Axel Truth: Did Margot Robbie Actually Skate In I, Tonya? (A Deep Dive)

The question of whether Margot Robbie truly skated in the 2017 biographical film *I, Tonya* remains one of Hollywood’s most persistent mysteries, even years after the film’s release. The black comedy-drama, which chronicles the life and controversial career of figure skater Tonya Harding, required a demanding level of physical performance that few actors could master, especially for a role that earned Robbie an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. As of December 13, 2025, the definitive answer lies in a combination of grueling actor training, expert stunt work, and state-of-the-art visual effects, all working in tandem to bring the Olympic skater's routines to life on the big screen.

The performance was so seamless that it sparked intense curiosity among critics and audiences alike, leading to a deep dive into the production secrets. The reality is that Robbie dedicated months to training, learning the foundational movements and the crucial "acting" moments on the ice, but the most technically challenging jumps, including the infamous Triple Axel, were a masterpiece of cinematic illusion.

Margot Robbie: Full Biography and Career Highlights

Margot Elise Robbie is an Australian actress and producer, renowned for her versatility across major studio blockbusters and critically acclaimed independent films. Her commitment to physically demanding roles, as seen in *I, Tonya*, has solidified her status as one of the industry's top talents.

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• Full Name: Margot Elise Robbie
• Date of Birth: July 2, 1990
• Place of Birth: Dalby, Queensland, Australia
• Education: Graduated from Somerset College (Gold Coast, Australia).
• Career Beginnings: Started in the Australian soap opera *Neighbours* (2008–2011).
• Breakthrough Role: Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorsese’s *The Wolf of Wall Street* (2013).
• Major Roles & Franchises: Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe (starting with *Suicide Squad*), Sharon Tate in *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*, and the title character in *Barbie*.
• Academy Award Nominations:
  • Best Actress for *I, Tonya* (2017)
  • Best Supporting Actress for *Bombshell* (2019)
• Producing Career: Co-founder of the production company LuckyChap Entertainment, which produced *I, Tonya*, *Birds of Prey*, and *Promising Young Woman*.

The Grueling Training: How Much Margot Robbie Actually Skated

To accurately portray the intensity and raw talent of Tonya Harding, Margot Robbie had to undergo a rigorous training regimen. This wasn't just about looking the part; it was about embodying the skater's persona, both on and off the ice.

Robbie committed to five months of intensive ice skating training, working with a professional coach and the film's choreographer, Sarah Kawahara. Kawahara is an Emmy-winning choreographer known for her work in figure skating and films like *Blades of Glory*.

The training focused on foundational skills and the crucial "acting" elements of the performance. Robbie became proficient in basic movements, gliding, stopping, and turning. Her primary goal was to achieve the posture and movement fluidity of a professional skater so that she could convincingly perform the close-up shots and the emotional transitions within the routine.

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Director Craig Gillespie and writer Steven Rogers were committed to capturing the emotional depth of the performances. This meant Robbie needed to look completely natural and comfortable in her skates, allowing her to focus on the dramatic elements of Tonya's life and career. She performed all of the scenes where the camera focused on her face and upper body, particularly the moments before and after a jump, or when she was gliding across the ice with a look of ecstasy or frustration.

The VFX Magic and Stunt Doubles That Completed the Look

While Margot Robbie's dedication was essential for the close-up shots, the vast majority of the complex, high-speed jumps and technical spins were accomplished through a combination of professional stunt doubles and groundbreaking visual effects (VFX). The production was a masterclass in seamlessly blending actor performance with digital wizardry.

The Role of the Stunt Doubles

For the technically demanding sequences, the film employed two primary stunt doubles. One notable double was Heidi Munger, a talented competitive skater who was a freshman biology major at the time of filming. Munger's role was to execute the complex spins, rapid movements, and landing portions that were beyond the scope of a five-month training period.

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The doubles were chosen not just for their skating ability but also for their body type and height similarity to Robbie. The choreographer, Sarah Kawahara, ensured that the doubles' movements matched the style and intensity of Tonya Harding's real-life routines.

The Digital Double and the Triple Axel

The most challenging element was the Triple Axel—the signature jump that figure skater Tonya Harding was famous for, becoming the first American woman to land it in competition. The production team could not find a professional skating double who could perform the Triple Axel consistently on film.

This is where the VFX company, Eight VFX, stepped in. They used cutting-edge digital technology to create the illusion:

• 3-D Head Scans: The team took detailed 3-D scans of Margot Robbie’s head.
• Digital Double: A "digital double" of Robbie's head was created, allowing VFX artists to manipulate the digital model to perfectly match Robbie's expressions and lighting.
• Face Replacement: The digital double's face was meticulously composited onto the body of the stunt skater performing the jump. This process, known as face replacement, is what made the audience believe they were watching Margot Robbie perform the Triple Axel.
• CGI Integration: For the most complex portions of the jump, especially the airborne rotations, the entire sequence was often rendered using Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) to ensure a perfect, dramatic execution that honored the original Tonya Harding footage.

This combination of Robbie's authentic on-ice acting, the stunt doubles' technical prowess, and the seamless VFX work is what made *I, Tonya* such a compelling and believable biopic. It highlights the collaborative nature of filmmaking, where an actor's dedication, the skill of the crew, and the power of modern technology converge to create an unforgettable performance.

The Legacy of I, Tonya and Topical Authority

The success of *I, Tonya* was not just a win for Margot Robbie, but for the entire cast and crew, who brought a sympathetic yet unflinching look at the controversial figure skater's life, including the infamous 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan.

The film was directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Steven Rogers. The stellar supporting cast included Sebastian Stan as Tonya's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and Allison Janney, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Tonya's abusive mother, LaVona Golden.

The film’s critical acclaim firmly established Margot Robbie as a serious dramatic force, moving beyond her earlier roles. Her producer role, alongside Tom Ackerley through LuckyChap Entertainment, also cemented her influence behind the camera. The technical achievement of the skating sequences set a new benchmark for biographical sports films, proving that even the most difficult athletic feats can be convincingly recreated on screen with the right balance of human effort and digital innovation.