Margot Robbie sparks backlash over New Mexico comments in Santa Fe
Australian actress Margot Robbie targeted New Mexico with a joke on late-night television broadcast from Santa Fe. The televised remark prompted calls on social media to boycott her upcoming movie project.
Margot Robbie appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” alongside Tina Fey. They promoted the film “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.” That movie is set in Afghanistan and filmed last year in New Mexico.
Fey asked host Stephen Colbert if he had visited the state. Colbert said no. Robbie then interrupted the discussion.
“Lots of missing teeth,” Robbie said.
The comment drew laughter from Fey and the studio audience. Online users quickly expressed anger. Some posters called for a boycott of the film.
Twitter user Gregory Sellers posted a smiling photo online. Sellers wrote that he is not missing any teeth and lives in New Mexico. Other viewers criticized the negative statement on social media platforms.
The broadcast aired immediately after the Super Bowl. It ran one day before Film Day at the state capital. The state honors the industry there following the creation of a generous film tax credit.
Several state lawmakers expressed disappointment over the joke. Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, watched the broadcast. He voiced displeasure with the insult directed at local residents.
“I was quite shocked when I first heard the comment,” Ivey-Soto said.
Ivey-Soto said officials worked hard to welcome film crews. He noted that the state continues to support film productions locally. Sen. Ted Barela, R-Estancia, offered a different view of the late-night appearance.
Barela has a silver cap on a front tooth. He urged residents to treat the remark as entertainment. Barela suggested people view the moment through the lens of comedy.
“Rise up, rise up,” Barela said.
Barela said citizens can respond better to the comment. Other actors previously criticized the region. Seth MacFarlane mocked the state on “Family Guy” following production on “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
Jessica Alba criticized Albuquerque restaurants in 2008. She possibly meant Alamogordo instead. “In Plain Sight” star Mary McCormack called Albuquerque boring on “Chelsea Lately” on the E! Network. McCormack later issued an apology.
Neither the New Mexico Film Office nor the State Tourism Department responded to requests for comment by Monday evening.
Film Day brings lawmakers together at the Santa Fe capitol building. The annual gathering recognizes local movie production companies and television crews. State agencies oversee corporate tax programs to attract entertainment projects.
Viewers including Kera Dunham and Chris Molaro posted further complaints. Hilary Wainwright also joined the online criticism. The film premieres in theaters next month.
