Gal Gadot is issuing a clarification to some comments she made about Snow White and the pressure to “speak against Israel” as the reason it did not perform well commercially.
The film struggled at the box office, bringing in only $87 million domestically.
If you aren’t aware, Gal previously completed mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces (the IDF) and has expressed public support for Israel. Meanwhile, her co-star Rachel Zegler has consistently voiced solidarity with Palestinians and the “Free Palestine” cause.
Tensions around the stars’ opposing political stances dominated media coverage and are widely believed to have contributed to the film’s disappointing box office performance.
Then, an interview quote with Gal went viral when she was asked about the film’s performance.
She said the following:
“You know, this happens a lot in various industries, including Hollywood,” Gal said on the Israeli TV program The A Talks. “There’s pressure on celebrities to speak against Israel. And, you know, it happened.”
“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. And I was disappointed that the movie was incredibly affected by all of that and that it didn’t do well at the box office. But that’s how it goes. You win some, you lose some,” Gal added (via Variety).
In an Instagram Story on Sunday (August 17), Gal then clarified what she said in that interview.
“I was honored to join an extraordinary interview with inspiring interviewers, whose questions go straight to the heart,” Gal posted in a now-deleted Instagram Story. “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.”
Gal added, “Of course, the film didn’t fail solely because of external pressures. There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails, and success is never guaranteed.”
Other controversies surrounding the movie involved Rachel openly criticizing Donald Trump supporters, condemning the original 1937 film, and receiving hateful comments surrounding her Colombian heritage.
