Before her rise to Hollywood stardom, Israeli actress Gal Gadot had different expectations for her life. The Wonder Woman alum’s love for dancing in her teenage years made her want to be a choreographer. In university, however, she decided to move forward with studying law and international studies. In an interview, the Heart of Stone star once affirmed, “If things had gone according to my plans, I’d be a lawyer”
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What is astounding about Gadot is how she became Miss Israel in 2004. Subsequently, in the same year, she represented her country and went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Although her past endeavors remain praise-worthy and astonishing, the topic that has garnered the most discussion over the years is related to her brief military stint.
Despite harboring different aspirations and committing to other endeavors, what was it that led the actress to pursue a career in the film industry? Keep scrolling to find out.
Gal Gadot’s Unexpected Journey To Hollywood Fame
Gal Gadot never once envisioned a career path in acting. However, she soon realized her passion for the craft following an intriguing encounter.
A casting director approached the then-model after she finished her first year of college. The former had specifically reached out to Gadot’s agent, requesting that the talent audition for the role of Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace, a James Bond film. Recalling this experience, the Justice League alum stated the following:
“This casting director from London flew into Israel and she was looking for the Bond girl and she wanted to see me, and I didn’t want to go.”
At the time, the thought of being an actress did not even cross Gal Gadot‘s mind. Only after being compelled by her agent did the model agree to attend the audition “out of respect.” Owing to her unpreparedness, Gadot decided to be upfront with the casting director about her inexperience. To assert her sentiment, she confessed: “I’m not an actress. I just want to be fair with you,”
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Despite her blunt honesty, the casting director decided to guide Gadot through the audition process. While she didn’t end up landing the role, it made her realize that she could opt for a career in acting instead of studying law. Consequently, her epiphany resulted in the Red Notice star having a talk with her agent and expressing a desire to audition for any potential acting roles that might arise in the future.
Following these events, Gal Gadot went on to star in the Israeli drama Bubot. Months after, the same casting director who had requested Gadot’s presence in the audition for Quantum of Solace, chose the actress for the role of Gisele Yashar in 2009’s Fast & Furious. And the rest is history, as we all know it.
Before studying law and subsequently seeking a career path in acting, the actress’ military stint shaped much of the skills Gadot would later require down the line.
Gal Gadot Detailed Her Military Background
In an interview with InStyle, the actress disclosed details surrounding her enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces. Being an Israeli citizen, the celebrity fulfilled her mandatory two-year military service. She served as a combat trainer/fitness instructor. Following is how she recounted her experiences with the army:
“I did a boot camp. It was months of learning how to do Krav Maga and doing drills of push-ups, pull-ups, and running with sacks of sand on the beach. I wasn’t fighting on a field; I was just a gym instructor who prepped training programs for people in the army. It sounds exotic and exciting, but I’d just go to the gym at 5 a.m. and go back home at 4.”
In the same interview, the actress had the following to comment on her brief military affiliation:
“You can only speak from the prism of your life and what you know. Everyone I know went to the army — my parents, my grandparents, my friends. It’s kind of in the DNA of being Israeli. It’s mandatory.”
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It was her military experience that later helped Gadot in her acting job. As per confirmations made by the actress herself in a 2011 interview, director Justin Lin (known for his contributions to The Fast and the Furious franchise) was intrigued by the actress’ time in the Israeli military. Additionally, he wanted to make use of her “knowledge of weapons.”
While Gadot now knows her calling and is aligned with it, there was once a time when her multiple professional stints and commitments opened up an array of career possibilities. Alas, her association with the film industry is currently what has stood the test of time.
Netflix is set to release Gal Gadot’s upcoming action thriller movie, Heart of Stone, on August 11, 2023.
Source: InStyle
