Margot Robbie Reveals Hilarious “Barbie” Mix-Up on Australian Talk Show
During a recent interview on Australia’s Channel 10 talk show “The Project,” Margot Robbie had an amusing moment on air while promoting Warner Bros’ upcoming film “Barbie.” The Australia-born actress, who plays the titular character in the movie, had a brief memory slip regarding a slang term used in her home country.
Co-host Sam Taunton brought up the fact that the word “barbie” doesn’t always refer to the iconic doll in Australia. Perplexed, Robbie asked, “What does it mean here?” The studio erupted in laughter as they informed her that “barbie” is a colloquial term for a barbecue.
Embarrassed, Robbie covered her face and exclaimed, “Oh!” She attributed her momentary lapse to being so immersed in the role of Barbie, jokingly saying, “I’m so Barbie now, I can’t even… You’re right, having a barbie.” She further added, “I’m blaming the jet lag, by the way. Don’t blame the blonde hair, blame the jet lag.”
The term “barbie” gained popularity outside of Australia thanks to a series of 1980s TV ads by the Australian Tourism Commission featuring actor Paul Hogan, known for his role as Crocodile Dundee. In the ads, Hogan mentioned slipping “an extra shrimp on the barbie for you.”
Interestingly, there was no promotional tie-in between “Barbie” the movie and a traditional Australian barbecue during the film’s tour in the country. When this was pointed out on “The Project,” Robbie expressed regret, stating, “I’m deeply regretting that there’s not, now that you mention it. What a wasted opportunity… Grrr, I’m really annoyed we didn’t do something like this.”
Director Greta Gerwig, who joined the conversation, playfully responded, “We’re going to make you grill after this.” While “Barbie” has already had a strong marketing campaign without the Australian barbecue tie-ins, the film is set to begin its international rollout on July 19 and will arrive in North America on July 21.
Fans can catch the entertaining interview exchange between Margot Robbie and the hosts of “The Project” on the show’s social media pages. The clip showcases Robbie’s good-natured reaction to discovering the alternate meaning of “barbie” in her home country.
As the release date for “Barbie” approaches, audiences around the world are excited to see Margot Robbie bring the iconic doll to life on the big screen. With her impeccable talent and infectious personality, Robbie is sure to captivate audiences in this highly-anticipated film.