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Gal Gadot attends the Christian Dior Womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week  on February 28, 2023 in Paris, France© Getty Images

Gal Gadot opens up about difficult personal period following Wonder Woman success

The Heart of Stone star has since become a DCEU legend

Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
June 25, 2023
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Gal Gadot became one of the world's biggest stars in 2017 when she made her debut as the legendary DC superhero, Wonder Woman, in Patty Jenkins' film of the same name.

Her performance received rave reviews and the cinematic outing's box office success made her a household name and one of the biggest success stories to come out of the oft-maligned DCEU.

VIDEO: Gal Gadot bounces on her bed in energetic bedroom video

However, in a new interview with S Moda magazine, the actress, 38, got real about the pressures of sudden fame getting to her in the midst of a difficult personal period.

"I remember it as if I had watched it from a moving train," she told the outlet, reliving the year in which she had also welcomed her second child with husband Jaron Varsano. 

MORE: Gal Gadot makes rare comment about husband Jaron Varsano: 'Most people would raise an eyebrow'

"I had just had my second daughter [Maya], she was about eight weeks old when the movie was released and that same month I had to undergo a back operation due to an injury I suffered during filming. 

Actress Gal Gadot arrives at the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Wonder Woman" at the Pantages Theatre on May 25, 2017 in Hollywood, California.© Getty Images
Gal achieved worldwide recognition when she made her 2017 debut as Wonder Woman

"If you think about it, it's even funny because people would think that in those days I was uncorking a bottle of champagne and feeling the most from the top of Mount Olympus, but I was dealing with many fronts and personal matters," she continued. 

"And, in addition, all that sudden exposure and fame… it was very overwhelming."

MORE: Gal Gadot stuns in pinstripe outfit that will make your head spin

She did explain, though, that what helped her deal with it was the feeling that this "social phenomenon" was mostly for her character aka Diana Prince, rather than for her.

Gal Gadot and Jaron Varsano selfie© Instagram
Gal and husband Jaron welcomed their second daughter the same year "Wonder Woman" was released

"I loved it, but I never felt that everything that happened was about me," Gal said. "I always thought that I was just a recipient for this character. It wasn't me, it was Diana. So that made it much more bearable."

Not only did Gal reprise her role as the Amazonian warrior princess in 2020's sequel Wonder Woman 1984, but also through cameos and supporting appearances in several other DC cinematic outings, most recently in 2023's The Flash.

MORE: Gal Gadot displays svelte physique in skin tight plunging leather dress for huge event

A third film in the franchise was all set, with Gal and Patty slated to return, but was canceled by the newly appointed DC execs James Gunn and Peter Safran last year.

Gal Gadot, Israeli model and actress, is on stage at the global Netflix fan event "Tudum." After two years as a virtual event, "Tudum" brought thousands of fans together on location and could be streamed worldwide. The gathering is named after the sound t© Getty Images
The actress even shared a nod to her DC role at Netflix's recent Tudum event

While at Netflix's Tudum fan festival last week, though, she did tease that her journey as Diana Prince may not be over just yet, telling ET: "Things are being worked behind the scenes and once the right moment arrives, you'll know about it."

Just before news of the third film's fate was revealed, the Israeli model and actress took to Instagram with a heartfelt tribute to the character that made her one of the world's highest paid actresses.

MORE: Gal Gadot reacts to Hollywood star's 'impossibly beautiful' comment after declining iconic role

She wrote alongside a still from the original film: "On this day, a few years ago, was the first announcement that I was going to play Wonder Woman. 

Gal Gadot participates in the Warner Bros. Theatrical Panel for "Wonder Woman 1984" during CCXP 2019 Sao Paulo at Sao Paulo Expo on December 08, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil© Getty Images
She teased that her journey as the DC superhero may not be over yet

"I've been so grateful for the opportunity to play such an incredible, iconic character and more than anything I'm grateful for YOU. The fans. The most amazing, warm, loving fans in the world. I'm still pinching myself to see if I will wake up. Can't wait to share her next chapter with you."

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