Back in March, Gal Gadot and her famous pals received heavy criticism for their rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine during their self-isolation phase. The internet community called them ‘out of touch’ for singing about ‘no possessions’ while residing in their lavish mansions. Fast forward seven months, Gal finally opened up about the backlash in her recent interview with Vanity Fair. The 35-year-old actress explained that her intention was to spread something positive and genuine, but acknowledged that it missed the mark with audiences.
In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Gal addressed the intense backlash that followed the release of the “Imagine” video, in which she was joined by other celebrities like Natalie Portman and Zoe Kravitz. The video, labeled as “cringe-worthy” by many, was released in March at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, prompting Twitter users to question the celebrities’ level of disconnect with reality.
Despite the good intentions behind the video, Gadot elaborated that the inspiration came from a place of empathy and unity during a difficult time. She shared her thoughts on the global impact of the virus and emphasized that we are all in this crisis together, regardless of our backgrounds or origins.
Gal was moved by a viral video of an Italian man playing the trumpet for his quarantined neighborhood, describing it as a powerful and pure moment that resonated with her. The following rendition of “Imagine” in the video featured other celebrities such as Kristen Wiig, Jamie Dornan, and Sarah Silverman.
The online backlash against Gal Gadot and her famous pals was swift when they released a video of themselves singing John Lennon’s Imagine while in quarantine. Many criticized them for being disconnected from reality, singing about ‘no possessions’ from the comfort of their luxurious homes.
In a Vanity Fair cover story from November 2020, Gal spoke about the well-intentioned but ultimately misguided video she created. She expressed that her intentions were pure and she just wanted to spread light and love to the world through the rendition of Imagine. The idea started with a few friends and then Kristen Wiig joined in, bringing more people into the project. Gal admitted that her blunt nature sometimes gets her into trouble, but she has learned to speak her truth rather than conform to others’ expectations. The writer of Vanity Fair, Nancy Jo Sales, reached out to Gal for comment after backlash over her upcoming role as Cleopatra, with the same director as Wonder Woman. Some criticized Gal’s casting due to the misconception that Cleopatra was African and black, when in fact she was believed to be ethnically Greek or Persian.
In a candid interview, the mother of two opened up about her outspoken nature, acknowledging that it can sometimes lead to trouble. She shared a clever tactic she uses which involves subtly disagreeing by saying “I don’t disagree with you, but,” effectively expressing her conflicting views. The conversation took place on February 9, 2020, at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
The Israeli actress also discussed the impact of portraying Wonder Woman, not only on herself but on her daughter as well. Gal, who is a mother to Alma, aged eight, and Maya, aged three, with husband Jaron Varsano, mentioned that she allowed her eldest daughter to watch the film. Alma was initially thrilled but had difficulty seeing her mother fight villains on screen. She requested to skip the scary parts, but overall, she was proud and enjoyed the movie.
As Wonder Woman makes a return in December with 1984, Gal shared her anticipation for the audience to witness the next chapter of the superhero’s journey.
Hero: The Israeli star discussed the impact of portraying Wonder Woman, especially on her own daughter. She emphasized that the first film marked the emergence of a hero, while the sequel delved deeper into themes of greed and its dangers, which are extremely relevant in today’s society. Gal Gadot expressed her emotional reaction to the opening scene of Wonder Woman 1984, where young actress Lilly Aspell competes in a physical challenge as the child version of the iconic character. She highlighted the importance of representation in media, noting that it shapes our aspirations and beliefs. Gadot also touched on the disparity in portrayals of strength and heroism between boys and girls in movies, suggesting that young boys traditionally saw themselves as the heroes and saviors.