Gal Gadot 'didn't want to win' Miss Israel competition
Gal Gadot has revealed that she "didn't want to win" the Miss Israel beauty pageant that launched her career.
Gal Gadot "didn't want to win" the Miss Israel beauty pageant that made her famous.
The 36-year-old actress - who was just 18 when she took the crown in the 2004 contest and has since gone on to star in blockbusters such as 'Wonder Woman' and 'Red Notice' - admitted that she initially entered the competition because she had some time before taking up military service and "never thought" she would win.
She said: "I'm not the type of girl to do beauty competitions. But I had some time before my military service, and I was like, "That's going to be nice to tell my grandkids that Grandma competed in Miss Israel." And then I won. I was like, "Holy s**t. Now what?" I didn't want to win. I never thought I would."
The 'Fast & Furious' star then went on to explain that sudden fame as a result of winning the pageant became "too much", quipping that "didn't try to impress" or "play by the book" when it came to competing in the Miss Universe follow-up competition.
She told InStyle: "I was so naïve. I was only 18, and to become a celebrity and have paparazzi around, it was too much for me. When they sent me to Miss Universe, I said, "Never again. I'm not even taking chances." And they go, "You have to wear evening gowns for breakfast." It was so ridiculous; I didn't play by the book. I just did my thing, and I didn't try to impress them. I was like, "English, no. Me no speak. Very hard language." And then I didn't make the first cut!"
