Overview
- Variety published an interview in which Hasan Piker said Gal Gadot should be "banned from the Oscars" and called her a "dogshit actress."
- Piker argued that Gadot’s public image helps "normalize" Israel, citing the sexualization of female IDF soldiers as part of that effect.
- The interview question referenced a petition signed by director Mira Nair, mother of New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, urging the Academy to rescind Gadot’s Oscars invitation.
- The Simon Wiesenthal Center criticized Variety for elevating Piker’s comments, calling him a "known antisemite" in a post on X, and Variety declined to comment.
- Coverage notes Gadot has not publicly responded as outlets place the remarks in the context of prior protests over her pro-Israel stance, including a disrupted Walk of Fame ceremony.