How did Margot Robbie prepare for Barbie?

How did Margot Robbie prepare for Barbie?

The surprising and committed process behind Margot Robbie’s transformation into the world’s most iconic doll

(By Carmichael Phillip)

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Before filming began, Margot Robbie immersed herself in the history and evolution of Barbie. Rather than treating the character as a caricature or a one-dimensional figure, Robbie approached Barbie as a cultural icon with decades of influence. She read books about Barbie’s history, explored Mattel’s design choices through the years, and studied advertisements from different eras.

In an interview with Vogue, Robbie said:

“I didn’t want to just play Barbie — I wanted to understand what she meant to different generations of women and girls.”

This extensive research helped Robbie navigate the delicate balance between satire and sincerity in Barbie, ensuring her performance honored the character while poking fun at the stereotypes attached to her.

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Robbie’s preparation for Barbie was tightly interwoven with the vision of director Greta Gerwig. From the earliest stages, Robbie was not just the lead actress but also a producer through her company, LuckyChap Entertainment. This dual role meant she had significant input in shaping the film’s tone, style, and depth.

Robbie spoke in a Hollywood Reporter roundtable about working with Gerwig:

“Greta and I spent months just talking about Barbie, what she represents, and how we could make this movie not just fun, but meaningful. It was a constant back-and-forth of ideas, references, and character study.”

Their collaboration helped establish a character that was both playful and philosophical — Barbie as a figure questioning her identity in a hyper-pink world.

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Barbie’s movements are distinct and exaggerated. Robbie committed herself to studying how a doll would walk, stand, sit, and even blink. She worked closely with movement coaches to perfect a style of physicality that would convey “Barbie-ness.”

In an interview with The New York Times, movement coach Sarah Maher said:

“Margot was incredibly dedicated. She’d ask, ‘How would Barbie drink tea? How would she run? How would she wake up in the morning?’ It wasn’t just an acting job — it was physical embodiment.”

This focus on body language helped Robbie portray a character who didn’t quite operate by human logic — adding to the magical realism of the film.

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Another essential part of Margot Robbie’s transformation was developing the “Barbie voice.” This wasn’t about pitch alone, but about energy, enthusiasm, and tone. She had to sound eternally optimistic, slightly naive, but never annoying — a difficult line to walk.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Robbie explained:

“We tried a few different registers and attitudes. Eventually, we landed on this airy, upbeat tone that felt right. Barbie isn’t sarcastic or jaded. She genuinely wants everything to be perfect and beautiful.”

Robbie worked on vocal consistency so that no matter the scene — whether comedic, emotional, or surreal — Barbie’s unique energy remained intact.

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Becoming Barbie wasn’t just about acting — it was also about dressing the part. Margot Robbie wore dozens of meticulously styled outfits throughout the film, each inspired by a real Barbie doll look. The wardrobe process involved close collaboration with costume designer Jacqueline Durran.

Robbie revealed to Variety:

“We had racks and racks of outfits. Some of them were exact recreations of vintage Barbie clothes. It was like stepping into a fashion museum every day.”

She didn’t just wear the clothes — she used them to inform her performance. The way Barbie walks in heels, holds a purse, or dons rollerblades became part of Robbie’s physical interpretation.

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To enhance authenticity, much of Barbie was filmed on elaborately built sets that recreated Barbie Land — complete with plastic-like textures, artificial skies, and larger-than-life decor. Robbie has said that this environment was crucial for her preparation and performance.

In a behind-the-scenes featurette, she explained:

“Once you step into Barbie Land, it’s impossible not to feel like you’re inside a toy box. That immersion helped me stay in character. You just kind of become Barbie.”

The artificiality of the set paradoxically grounded the performance, creating a believable-yet-surreal world that required Robbie to respond not with irony, but with sincerity.

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One of Robbie’s more personal techniques was reconnecting with her childhood self. She reportedly revisited childhood photos, talked with her parents about her early imagination, and even rewatched cartoons and movies from her youth.

In a promotional interview with Good Morning America, Robbie shared:

“Barbie has this unfiltered joy that we often lose as adults. I had to strip away cynicism and find that wide-eyed wonder again.”

This emotional process helped Robbie play the innocence and optimism that defines Barbie — even when the character begins to confront darker realities.

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Margot Robbie drew from her experience playing complex and exaggerated characters in the past — such as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad or Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. While Barbie may appear vastly different, both required bold physicality and a fearless commitment to unusual personalities.

Robbie told The Guardian:

“Harley and Barbie couldn’t be more different, but both are heightened characters. You have to commit 100%, or it doesn’t work. You have to believe in them, even if they’re not real.”

Her background in roles requiring transformation helped her embody Barbie with confidence, even when the character ventured into emotional or absurd territory.

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One of Robbie’s biggest challenges was walking the line between comedy and emotional truth. While Barbie is a visually whimsical and comedic film, it contains profound messages about identity, self-worth, and womanhood. Robbie had to infuse humor with soul.

Greta Gerwig praised her performance in IndieWire:

“Margot can be funny without making fun. That’s her superpower. She made Barbie feel real — like someone you could laugh with and cry with.”

This emotional range elevated the role from parody to poignancy, making Barbie a symbol not just of femininity, but of human vulnerability.

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In every way, Margot Robbie’s preparation for Barbie was as rigorous as any dramatic role. Though the character may seem light and playful, the performance demanded deep thought, intricate planning, and emotional truth. Robbie turned what could have been a campy role into a career-defining one, earning acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

As she said during a panel at CinemaCon:

“Barbie is not just a doll — she’s an idea. Preparing for her meant stepping into the most stylized version of the world while trying to find something very real within it. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding roles I’ve ever done.”

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