It’s a common occurrence for Israelis to feel proud when one of their own achieves success on the global platform, but Gadot has taken it to a whole new level.
Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress, has received a warm welcome in her home country following the release of the film Wonder Woman. Israelis have been celebrating her success by placing a massive billboard on Tel Aviv’s main highway with a message that reads “we love you”. The country is proud of its international celebrities and Gal Gadot’s status as a superhero has made her a national treasure, which is evident from the daily reporting of her Hebrew-accented interviews in international media and the enthusiastic response she receives from fans when they see her on screen. Even Lebanon’s ban on the film has not dampened the mood in Israel.
20-year-old Ela Hofshi from Jerusalem expressed her excitement about the success of a fellow Israeli who has made it big overseas, saying, “It’s so cool that someone from here is succeeding and is famous overseas. Everyone in the theater was so excited.” Israelis are known for celebrating their own who achieve international recognition, such as Omri Casspi in the NBA, Olympic medalists, or model Bar Refaeli. Gal Gadot’s rise to stardom has taken this jubilation to another level, as she plays the iconic role of Wonder Woman in a movie that grossed over $100 million in its opening weekend, providing a much-needed distraction from the country’s political and Palestinian conflict.
A billboard featuring the film Wonder Woman was captured in Tel Aviv on June 6, 2017. The starring role played by Gal Gadot has elevated her to becoming one of Israel’s most famous celebrities and a significant ambassador for the country. Unlike another Israeli model, Bar Refaeli, who is perceived by many as cold and unapproachable, Gadot’s warm demeanor and willingness to discuss her experience serving in the military have allowed her to receive widespread acceptance from her home country. Stay up to date with the latest news by subscribing to The Times of Israel’s daily email newsletter.
Ariel Oseran, 27, praised Gal Gadot for gracefully carrying the burden of being an Israeli and remaining unchanged by her fame. Oseran believes that Gadot represents the “good Israeli” and serves as an inspiration to female soldiers. Gadot’s journey to stardom began when she was crowned Miss Israel in 2004 at the age of 18. Despite this success, she put her modeling career on hold to enlist in the military, where she served as a combat fitness instructor for two years. In 2007, she posed for Maxim’s “Women of the Israeli Army” photo shoot. Although she initially pursued law school, a casting director invited her to audition for a James Bond movie. While she didn’t get the part, she landed a role in the “Fast and Furious” franchise as Gisele Yashar, an ex-Mossad agent, which launched her Hollywood career.
Gal Gadot appeared at the LA premiere of “Fast Furious 6” in May 2013, and she has since taken on the iconic role of Wonder Woman in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and the recently released “Wonder Woman” film. During her promotional rounds for “Wonder Woman,” the Israeli actress made appearances on American talk and late night shows, where she impressed audiences with her down-to-earth personality. In one interview, Gadot joked that being pregnant while playing Wonder Woman was more challenging than being a soldier in the Israeli army. As a performer who does her own stunts, Gadot has gained fans for her empowering image of femininity. At the movie’s Los Angeles premiere, she wore flats from Aldo instead of high heels, stating that they were more comfortable. According to her mother, Irit Gadot, the actress’s personal charm and simplicity make her an excellent representative of Israel.
Gal Gadot, the star of the movie “Wonder Woman,” has gained immense popularity in Israel without any scandals haunting her. Theaters across the country have erupted into cheers and tears of joy from fans during opening weekend. Her Israeli accent has been mimicked by co-stars who adopted it as the dialect for Wonder Woman’s fictional island of Themyscira. Gadot’s identity has also attracted anti-Israel boycott activists, who have attacked her on Twitter and pushed to have the film banned in Lebanon. However, some Israelis feel that her role in the Hollywood film represents more than just national pride; she brings a unique chutzpah, spice, and relatability to the character.
