With her powerful Golden Lasso of Truth, unbreakable bracelets, and signature red and blue outfit, Wonder Woman dominated the global box office last weekend, bringing in a whopping US$223 million and shattering records as the highest-grossing film directed by a woman. Even though leading lady Gal Gadot may seem like a newcomer to many, she has been making waves in Hollywood for quite some time.
For those who are not fans of the American franchise “The Fast and The Furious” or the superhero film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, Gadot may be a complete mystery. Wonder Woman is definitely her most prominent role since her days as Gisele in “The Fast & The Furious” franchise. Despite some skepticism about her ability to portray Princess Diana, there are some fascinating facts about this rising star that will surely change your mind.
Let’s start with the letter “W” for winning – Gadot was crowned Miss Israel back in 2004. Hailing from Israel, the 32-year-old actress took home the title of Miss Israel when she was just 18 and later represented her country in the Miss Universe pageant in Ecuador. However, Gadot made it clear in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel that winning the pageant was not her ultimate goal. “I’m not that type of girl,” she remarked.
At the recent premiere of “Wonder Woman” in Los Angeles, the down-to-earth star stunned in a Givenchy dress paired with Aldo sandals, questioning the impracticality of high heels. “They put us off balance. We can fall any minute, and they’re not good for our back. Why do we do it?” she pondered. How can you not admire this fierce yet relatable beauty?
In 2004, Gadot won the title of Miss Israel.
Gadot rocked a pair of Aldo flats at the ‘Wonder Woman’ premiere in Los Angeles. Despite her delicate appearance, she actually served in the Israel Defense Forces, showcasing her strength and resilience. After being crowned Miss Israel in 2004, Gadot spent two years as a combat trainer in the military, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice, discipline, and respect. Not only did she handle her own stunts in The Fast and The Furious, but her real-life experiences make her a true superheroine.
As a mandatory duty for all Israeli citizens, Gadot completed a two-year service in the Israeli Defense Forces. Fun fact – she showcased her piano skills in a unique manner for a Gucci campaign in 2015, playing half-naked. Interestingly, before deciding to pursue law (yes, she was once a law student), Gadot had dreams of becoming a choreographer. In a visually stunning Bamboo fragrance ad for Gucci directed by Fabien Baron, she gracefully danced across a ballroom and displayed her piano skills with a bare back. More recently, she was selected to represent a smartphone from the popular brand Huawei, solidifying her status as both a Hollywood darling and a commercial powerhouse.
Gadot featured in the Gucci perfume advertisement
Back when Gadot was a law student, she was considered to audition for a James Bond movie, alongside being compared to a potential Bond Girl. Despite losing out to Olga Kurylenko for the role, Gadot ended up landing a role as Gisele in
The Fast and The Furious
. Fast forward to today, Gadot triumphed over Kurylenko and secured the part of Wonder Woman. She is set to reprise her role as Princess Diana in
Justice League
, set to hit theaters this November.
The upcoming movie “Justice League”, which is inspired by the DC Comics superhero team with the same name, is set to be released in November.
Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot starred in the movie ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ in 2016. Gadot is known for her ethical values as she does not discriminate against people based on their religion, color, or race.
It is truly disheartening to learn that Lebanese authorities have decided to ban the screening of ‘Wonder Woman’ due to Gal Gadot’s Israeli nationality. Despite facing this challenge, Gadot, who speaks English with a noticeable Israeli accent, takes pride in her Jewish roots. She often mentions her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, who instilled in her the belief that there is no such thing as the wrong religion, color, or race.
In a recent Instagram post commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day, Gadot shared that her grandfather hailed from a small village in Czechoslovakia and tragically lost his entire family during World War II. She shared his message of love and acceptance towards all, regardless of their background, proving that kindness and understanding can transcend any differences.
Gadot takes pride in her Jewish heritage, as she embraces her roots. She met her husband, Yaron Versano, at a party in the desert, and they are now proud parents of two daughters. In the movie, Diana Prince finds love with US spy Steve Trevor, which mirrors Gadot’s own love story. Despite being five months pregnant during filming, Gadot portrayed Wonder Woman flawlessly. Can you now see why she is truly a Wonder Woman both on and off the screen?
In 2008, Gadot tied the knot and she is currently a proud mother to two children.
