This content is copyright of CelebMix.com. With over 100 million social media followers, the actress has transformed her celebrity status into a vehicle for moral clarity and healing. Gal Gadot commands attention. With more than 100 million followers on Instagram alone and millions more across other platforms, the Israeli actress occupies a rare space where Hollywood stardom intersects with genuine cultural influence. That platform, built through blockbuster films and magnetic screen presence, has become something far more significant since October 7, 2023: a megaphone for truth, a rallying point for solidarity, and a source of strength for Jewish communities worldwide. The Genesis Prize Foundation recognized this unique convergence of achievement, conviction, and courage when it named Gadot as the 2026 laureate of the $1 million award on November 11, 2025. While the selection acknowledges what Gadot has accomplished professionally - $6 billion in worldwide box office receipts, a TIME 100 honor, and household-name status - she was selected for her strong defense of Israel post October 7, while too many in Hollywood remained quiet. "Gal Gadot's moral clarity and unwavering love for Israel have inspired millions," said Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation. "The award recognizes her bravery and moral courage, her steadfast defense of Israel at great personal and professional cost, her advocacy for the hostages, her compassion for victims of terror, and her empathy for all innocent victims of this terrible war unleashed by Hamas." Gadot will donate the entire financial award to organizations committed to healing Israelis in the aftermath of the war. The Weight of a Global Audience Few celebrities possess Gadot's combination of reach and authenticity. Her Instagram feed reaches an audience larger than the population of most countries. Her posts generate hundreds of thousands of engagements. Her image as Wonder Woman has made her synonymous with strength, justice, and heroism for a generation of moviegoers. That kind of platform creates choices. Many celebrities with comparable reach have chosen silence or careful neutrality when controversial subjects arise. The entertainment industry, where careers can pivot on public perception and box office performance, often rewards those who avoid taking stances that might alienate portions of their audience. Gadot chose differently. When Hamas launched its October 7 attacks on Israel, she was among the first major global figures to condemn the atrocities publicly and unequivocally. She used her substantial social media presence to call for the release of hostages, to speak about sexual violence committed against Israeli women, and to defend Israel's right to exist and protect its citizens. These weren't bland, carefully focus-grouped statements designed to offend no one. They were clear, passionate, and rooted in her identity as an Israeli and a Jew. They cost her professionally, death threats arrived, protests followed her public appearances, and social media campaigns targeted her projects. Disney hired additional security to protect her after threats intensified. She continued speaking anyway. Organizing Screenings, Shaping Narratives Gadot's advocacy extended beyond social media posts. She organized private screenings of raw footage from Hamas' October 7 terror attacks for Hollywood executives, world leaders, and influencers. These screenings, held at venues including the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, forced people who shape culture and public opinion to confront what had actually occurred. The Genesis Prize Foundation described this effort as "a bold act of conscience when few in the entertainment industry, Jewish or not, dared to speak out in support of Israel." The characterization is accurate. Hollywood's response to October 7 was tepid at best, with too many turning against Israel. Gadot's willingness to use her relationships and her stature to ensure people saw the truth represented leadership of a different magnitude. Stan Polovets and The Genesis Prize Foundation consider laureate candidates based on professional excellence, contributions to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values. Gadot's selection reflects the Foundation's assessment that in this moment, when antisemitism has surged globally and Jewish identity faces pressure from both assimilation and external hostility, having a household name refuse to hide her heritage matters. "The Genesis Prize and the foundation exist to hold up role models that will engender pride in the next generation of Jews," Stan Polovets has explained. "The more Jews feel proud and connected to their identity and see highly accomplished individuals demonstrating the same, the stronger our community will be heading into the future." From Wonder Woman to Real-World Heroism Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman made her one of the most recognizable actresses globally. The role transformed her