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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.”
Rachel Zegler's Tearful Speech: Love for 'Everybody' Amid Snow White Drama
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Rachel Zegler is showing gratitude for her Snow White role.
Ahead of a recent early screening of the live-action Snow White remake, Zegler surprised fans when she appeared and gave an emotional speech about what playing the Disney princess has meant to her.
"This is a movie that is so close to my heart. I auditioned for this movie when I was 19 years old and I am about to turn 24," Zegler said, in video shared by Disney. "So it's a really big chunk of my life, and about five of the seven years of my career, which is crazy. I love everybody in this movie so dearly."
Zegler reflected on her journey playing the titular character, who first appeared in 1937's animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, sharing that seeing the movie come to life has been "emotional" for her.
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"Coming to the end of this road of this release feels really crazy because when you spend so much time with something, it becomes such a big part of you and a big part of your heart. Snow White has really been that way for me and to see this is really emotional for me. So I'm going to try not do that," Zegler said, her voice cracking a little.
"I love her and I am so glad to see that so many of you love her as well," Zegler continued. "Her superpower is her heart. It's nothing supernatural. It's something that all of us have. Deep within us, there is an inherit good and belief in the kindness of humanity."
"I hope that you walk away from this film understanding what the true meaning of fair is. I really hope that for the world as well. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your Snow White. It means the world to me."
Zegler's speech comes amid tensions plaguing Disney’s live-action remake ahead of its March 21 release, which has extended to both the West Side Story actress and her costar Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen.
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A source told PEOPLE that Gadot and Zegler have "nothing in common" due to their age difference and “on top of that, their political views differ, adding to the tension."
Zegler and Gadot have appeared at multiple events in the past to promote their long-delayed film, including at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022 and at the recent Academy Awards, where they presented the Best Visual Effects category together. They posed together at the film's Los Angeles premiere on Saturday, March 15.
After her casting announcement in 2021, Zegler faced racist backlash from social media users over her being of Latinx background and playing the Disney princess. (Zegler is of Colombian and Polish descent.) Zegler also made headlines when she said in interviews that the new movie would modernize Snow White and that the original was “dated.”
While speaking with Vogue Mexico, Zegler addressed negative reactions over her casting as well as past statements she's made about the original animation, saying audiences were being protective over the famous princess.
“I interpret people’s feelings about this film as their passion for her and what an honor to be a part of something that people are so passionate about,” Zegler said. “We are not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us and all that we can do is do our best." (Zegler's interview was conducted in Spanish. Quotes were independently translated from Spanish to English by PEOPLE.)
Snow White is in theaters March 21.
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