Was Gal Gadot’s ‘Imagine’ Video the Start of the End?

Five years ago, the world collectively cringed at a video that became one of the most memorable moments of early pandemic culture. A group of celebrities, led by Gal Gadot, decided that the best way to address the growing uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis was to sing John Lennon’s “Imagine” on Instagram. This odd spectacle, which began with Gadot’s heartfelt sigh and a promise to share something “philosophical,” has since become a symbol of the tone-deaf celebrity response to the pandemic.

The Imagine Video: A Snapshot of Pandemic Celebrities

If you’ve managed to block the Imagine video from your memory, let me remind you of its awkwardness. Gal Gadot starts with a voice-over about being stuck in quarantine, offering her thoughts on the pandemic’s universal impact. “Doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, we’re all in this together,” she says before introducing a line-up of stars—ranging from Zoe Kravitz to Mark Ruffalo—who awkwardly sing a few lines of the song, each trying to project a sense of solidarity through the famous tune.

What’s striking about the Gal Gadot video, even now, is how out of touch it feels. The idea of wealthy celebrities singing “Imagine” to show their empathy might have seemed well-intentioned, but the outcome was a cringe-worthy display of privilege. The backlash was immediate—people criticized the video for its lack of substance, especially considering that the stars involved weren’t offering any tangible help to address the crisis.

A Step Back in Time: The Rise of Celebrity-Driven Social Media

The Imagine video serves as a stark reminder of the 2010s era of social media, a time when Gal Gadot celebrity presence online felt fresh and more “relatable.” Celebrity culture was defined by moments like Ellen DeGeneres’s star-studded Oscars selfie, which became the most retweeted image of all time. These moments were celebrated not just for their star power, but for making celebrities seem “normal”—showing a side of them that audiences could connect with.

During this time, Hollywood also became a vocal presence on social issues. Celebrities campaigned against Donald Trump’s election, attended protests, and championed movements like Me Too. For a while, it seemed like famous faces were aligning themselves with causes that resonated with the public, using their Gal Gadot influence to create positive change.

But something shifted, and it all started to become clear in March 2020. The way people, especially celebrities, reacted to the pandemic revealed a new kind of skepticism about their role in society. Just posting a video or a black square, like during the Black Lives Matter movement, was no longer seen as helpful. In fact, these acts of virtual solidarity were soon recognized as performative—empty gestures without any real contribution.

The Backlash and What We Learned

The Imagine video didn’t just fall flat—it felt almost embarrassing in hindsight. The criticisms weren’t just about its tone-deafness; it was a moment of rich and famous people using their platforms Gal Gadot without offering any meaningful help. Celebrities, who were adored by many, suddenly seemed out of touch, unwilling to sacrifice anything or put in real work to help the world.

In the aftermath, Gal Gadot admitted that the video was in “poor taste.” Several other stars distanced themselves from it, likely realizing the error in trying to make such a bold, public statement without offering anything tangible. What followed was a deeper silence from many famous faces during crises that unfolded over the next few years. Celebrities appeared increasingly cautious, wary of making the same mistake again. They stopped using their platforms for grand gestures, seemingly afraid of being criticized.

A New Reality: The Decline of Celebrities as Social Commentators

The events following Imagine marked the beginning of a new era for Gal Gadot celebrity activism—or the lack thereof. The social media backlash from that viral moment set a tone for future celebrity involvement in political and social issues. Whether it was the silence after Donald Trump’s re-election or the muted response to the California wildfires, the public began to lose faith in the ability of celebrities to truly influence change.

This shift has given way to a more cynical view of Gal Gadot celebrity activism. Celebrities have largely stayed out of controversial conversations, not wanting to face the same criticism they did in the aftermath of Imagine. In some cases, when they did speak out, they were met with backlash and even career consequences—particularly when speaking out on sensitive topics like Palestine or racial justice.

The Nostalgia for a Simpler Time

While it’s true that celebrities today are more cautious in their public expressions of support, there’s something undeniably nostalgic about the Imagine video. Sure, it was cringey, tone-deaf, and lacking in substance, but it did show a brief moment where the famous seemed to try to connect with the world in a meaningful way—even if it was misguided.

In a world where public figures are increasingly criticized for their lack of action, it’s almost comforting to think back to a time when celebrities tried—however poorly—to show they cared. And while the Imagine video will always be remembered as a reminder of what went wrong, it also symbolizes a bygone era when celebrities thought their influence could be harnessed for the greater good, even if the execution was wildly off the mark.