Margot Robbie recently revealed that she was mistaken for a man while playing ice hockey, leading to unexpected encounters with her teammates. The acclaimed actress, known for her roles in films like I, Tonya and Wuthering Heights, expressed her long-standing passion for the sport during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast.
Growing up in the Gold Coast of Australia, Robbie dreamed of playing ice hockey after being inspired by the 1992 film The Mighty Ducks. However, the absence of ice rinks in her hometown meant she had to wait until moving to the United States to pursue her dream. “There’s no way to play ice hockey, so I ended up playing field hockey all through school,” she explained.
Upon arriving in America, Robbie was determined to join an ice hockey team. Despite her limited experience with ice skating, she embraced the challenge. “I hadn’t ever really ice skated before… It was so fun,” she said. This enthusiasm came before the intense training she underwent for her role in I, Tonya.
Robbie joined a co-ed ice hockey team, where she was one of only two girls. Due to her protective gear, her teammates often mistook her for a male player. “I looked like a very small guy… I’d get picked on. They checked me so hard,” she remarked, laughing about the surprises that unfolded when she removed her helmet after games. “They’d be like: ‘Oh s*** sorry, I didn’t know you were a girl.'”
Despite the mix-ups and playful teasing from her teammates, Robbie cherished her time on the ice. She emphasized that the experience was an enjoyable one, showcasing her sporty spirit. When asked about any fights on the ice, she humorously noted, “No, I was way smaller than everyone.”
Robbie’s story reflects not just her passion for ice hockey, but also the unexpected realities of pursuing a dream in a sport that she had long admired from afar.
