A photograph of Gal Gadot wearing an Elie Saab gown to the National Board of Review Awards has been removed from the designer’s Instagram account following a political backlash.
The Israeli actress wowed in the blue dress at the gala in New York City on Tuesday night (09Jan18), and even impressed Saab, who noted she looked “flawless”.
But the image posted on the designer’s social media prompted controversy because Saab is Lebanese.
Gadot’s native Israel and Lebanon have been at war since 1948, and Lebanon boycotts the nation.
As journalists and politicians questioned the Wonder Woman star’s dress choice and Saab’s decision to post the image of her wearing his gown on his website, Elie chose to pull it down.
The designer was also criticized for complimenting a former Israel Defense Forces combat trainer – Gal Gadot performed her national service in the Israeli army.
Gal chose to wear the Elie Saab gown to the National Board of Review Awards, where she and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins picked up the Spotlight Award for their work on the record-breaking 2017 comic book blockbuster, which was banned from Lebanese cinemas due to the fact an Israeli had been cast in the title role.
The actress has steered clear of political matters but back in 2014 she was criticised for posting her support of the Israeli armed forces on Facebook during the Gaza War.
The Elie Saab drama broke as Gal was unveiled as Revlon’s new beauty ambassador. She will front Revlon’s Live Boldly campaign, which launches later this month (Jan18).
Revlon bosses teased the new ads online on Tuesday (09Jan18) by posting a brief video of the former beauty queen, dressed all in red, posing for the camera and having fun.
Her new role was also announced at a press conference in New York City, during which Revlon bosses explained they chose Gadot to front the campaign because she represents strength and is an “advocate for women”.
