Gal Gadot, known for her iconic portrayal of Wonder Woman, is receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 18, a monumental moment in her career. She recalls her first visit to the Walk of Fame nearly two decades ago, at 23 years old, and how she saw people dressed as superheroes, including a Wonder Woman figure. “I remember walking there for the first time, and I had a premonition about my future in entertainment,” she reflects.
Despite her incredible rise in Hollywood, Gadot remains humbled by the recognition. “I don’t think that ever in my life I would dream to go through the journey that I’m going through,” she says with gratitude and excitement.
Gadot’s path to acting wasn’t straightforward. Initially trained as a dancer for 12 years, she later studied law and worked as a model. A casting director for Quantum of Solace opened the door to her acting career, leading to her breakout role in Fast & Furious as Gisele Yashar. “I discovered something that I absolutely loved doing,” Gadot says of her transition to acting.
Her portrayal of Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a game-changer, solidifying her as a global superstar. She credits director Zack Snyder for casting her in the role. “Zack really had the vision for Wonder Woman,” she acknowledges.
Her collaboration with director Patty Jenkins for the solo Wonder Woman films further cemented her legacy, with Gadot describing the experience as “life-changing.” “We were just a vessel to tell a story that the world was ready for — a complete, empowered woman who is strong and at the same time vulnerable,” she explains.
Though Wonder Woman 3 was canceled due to a reboot of the DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran, Jenkins believes their collaboration isn’t over. “We are just getting started,” she says.
In addition to her blockbuster career, Gadot continues to embrace her global platform. Despite being from Israel, she has faced challenges speaking out about her home country’s political issues. “There is so much hate and so many bots on social media,” Gadot says. “But I had to speak up.” Her advocacy, especially for hostages taken during the October 7th attacks, comes from a deeply personal place, with Gadot noting that she is a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor and comes from a family of long-standing Israelis.
“I am all about humanity,” Gadot emphasizes, adding that she’s dedicated to advocating for those who are voiceless. Despite facing criticism for her political comments, she says, “When your compass is clear, your conscience is clean.”
In addition to her advocacy, Gadot, now a mother of four daughters, is exploring acting in Hebrew. “Language is a big thing for me,” she says, expressing excitement about the possibility of playing in her native tongue.
Looking ahead, Gadot continues to embrace diverse roles. In Snow White, she steps into the role of the Evil Queen, showcasing her versatility by playing a villain for the first time and even singing on screen. “It was different than anything I’ve ever done,” she shares, describing the character as “bigger than life.”
With a star now on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a string of exciting projects ahead, Gadot is ready to take on new challenges. “The fun part about what we do is creating the history for the character,” she says. “I love digging in and understanding what triggers them, what they love, and what scares them.” The journey continues for this multifaceted star, whose influence reaches far beyond the screen.