Gal Gadot Reveals Personal Reasons Behind 'Snow White' Flop Blame on Hollywood Anti-Israel Sentiment

Gal Gadot Reflects on the Box Office Performance of “Snow White” and Public Pressure

Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress known for her role as Wonder Woman, recently took to Instagram Stories to clarify her previous comments about how public pressure on celebrities to take a stance on Israel impacted the box office performance of the live-action Disney film Snow White. She emphasized that while external factors played a role, they were not the sole reason for the movie’s underperformance.

“I was honored to join an extraordinary interview with inspiring interviewers, whose questions go straight to the heart,” she shared. “Sometimes we respond to questions from an emotional place. When the film came out, I felt that those who are against Israel criticized me in a very personal, almost visceral way. They saw me, first and foremost, as an Israeli, not as an actress. That’s the perspective I spoke from when I answered the question.”

Gadot, 40, added that the film’s failure wasn’t solely due to external pressures. “There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails, and success is never guaranteed,” she said.

The Impact of Political Tensions on Hollywood

During a recent appearance on the Israeli TV show The A Talks, Gadot explained her belief that the movie was considered a major flop. She referenced the October 7 attacks in which Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, leading to increased pressure on celebrities to speak out against the country.

“After the attacks, there was pressure on celebrities to speak against Israel,” she said. “I can always explain and try to give context about what’s happening here, and I always do that. But, in the end, people make their own decisions.”

Gadot expressed disappointment that the movie was so affected by these events and didn’t perform well at the box office. “That’s how it goes. You win some, you lose some,” she said.

Controversies Surrounding the Cast

Both Gadot and Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White, faced significant backlash during the film’s production and promotion. The movie, which grossed $205.6 million worldwide against a production budget of $240 to $270 million, was met with criticism from fans who were upset about casting a Latina as Snow White.

Zegler, 24, faced additional scrutiny after she called the plot of the original animated film “dated” because the prince “literally stalks Snow White.” She also drew backlash for expressing support for Palestine and sharing an anti-President Donald Trump post following his 2024 election victory over Kamala Harris.

After calls for her to be fired from the film, Zegler issued an apology, stating that she had let her “emotions get the best of” her when speaking about the election.

Personal and Professional Challenges

Gadot, who is Jewish, has been vocal about her support for Israel on social media, which has led to some backlash from fans. In March, her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was interrupted by pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters. She also had to increase security after receiving death threats related to her views.

Additionally, it was reported that the co-stars clashed during the making of the Disney film due to having “nothing in common.”

Conclusion

While the film may not have achieved the commercial success that was anticipated, the challenges faced by its cast highlight the complex interplay between politics, public opinion, and the entertainment industry. For Gadot, the experience served as a reminder of the emotional weight that comes with being a public figure in today’s highly charged environment.