Gal Gadot is keeping her political opinions out of the spotlight.
In an interview with Variety ahead of the release of her live-action Snow White movie, the actress admitted she doesn’t “talk politics” after the terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics?” said Gadot, 39, who is Israeli. “I’m an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world.”
Her comments come amid tensions surrounding Disney’s Snow White remake, some of which may extend to stars Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, and Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular princess.
While noting that Zegler is 23, a source told PEOPLE on Friday, March 14, that the actress “has nothing in common with Gal Gadot, a mom of four kids.”
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“On top of that, their political views differ, adding to the tension,” the source added. (Reps for Zegler and Gadot did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment at the time.)
Zegler and Gadot have appeared at multiple events to promote their long-delayed film, including at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022 and at the recent Academy Awards, where they took the stage to present the Best Visual Effects category together.
Gadot did not attend Snow White’s European premiere in Spain on Wednesday, March 12, though a source familiar with the situation told PEOPLE the Wonder Woman star was “never supposed to be in Spain” and was doing press in N.Y.C.
“This isn’t like a ‘stay away from me’ situation,” the latter insider said of the actresses’ dynamic. “They were at the Oscars together. They’ll be together this weekend.” (Gadot did attend Snow White‘s Los Angeles premiere Saturday, March 15.)
A third source pointed out the costars’ “huge age gap” and “different political views.” (Gadot, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages, while Zegler has voiced support for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.)
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In her conversation with Variety, Gadot insisted she’s “not a hater,” noting how political issues of the moment are just very personal for her.
“I’m a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz,” she said. “And on the other side of my family, I’m eighth generation Israeli. I’m an indigenous person of Israel.”
As for speaking out in support of Israelis taken prisoner by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, “I am all about humanity, and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages,” Gadot continued.
“I know what I’m advocating for, and I know what I wish for the world,” she said. “I am praying for better days for all. I want everybody to have good life and prosperity, and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment.”
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