Hollywood has never lacked war of words between stars, but Catherine Zeta-Jones’ recent statement aimed directly at Gal Gadot has really caused a public outcry. In an interview, the Oscar-winning star frankly said that Gal Gadot’s success does not come from her artistic talent, but mainly thanks to ethnic and media favoritism.

Catherine clearly said: “Hollywood has pampered her too much. Gal’s talent is not outstanding compared to a series of other actresses, but she is favored to appear because of her body and the image that the media wants to build. If there were another actress in a similar situation, I don’t think they would be treated so easily.”

These words were immediately considered a big explosion in Hollywood. Gal Gadot has long become a global icon after her resounding success as Wonder Woman. She is praised as a representative of feminist power, a “female warrior” on the big screen. But it is also that image that makes many people question: is Gadot really worthy of the position she holds, or is she just the perfect product of a clever PR campaign?

Catherine’s statement hits the right spot: the issue of ethnicity and politics in choosing actors. In recent times, Hollywood has been constantly criticized for being biased or exploiting ethnic factors to “paint” a fair image. Gadot – an Israeli actress – has therefore become the center of debate. Catherine seems to want to emphasize that Gadot’s success reflects an imbalance: real talents are ignored, while a “trendy” face is over-elevated.

Reactions from the online community are clearly divided into two streams. Many people agree with Catherine, saying that Gal Gadot’s acting is not really outstanding. Besides Wonder Woman, many of her roles are considered one-dimensional, lacking depth and dependent on appearance. Some viewers even commented that Gadot is more like a “film model” than an artist.

On the contrary, Gal Gadot’s supporters reacted strongly. They said that Catherine Zeta-Jones was “too cruel” and jealous of the halo of the younger generation of actors. Gal’s fans affirmed: “No one can deny that Gadot has brought a cultural icon, inspiring women all over the world. That is a success that not everyone can achieve.”

Experts are not out of the loop either. Some critics said that Catherine’s statement was “frank but dangerous,” because Hollywood is sensitive to ethnic issues. Speaking the truth too directly could cause her to face a wave of opposition from her own colleagues. However, there are also opinions that Catherine has touched the “undercurrent” that many people in the industry think but dare not admit: Hollywood is abusing social issues to paint an image, instead of honoring real ability.

It is worth mentioning that Catherine Zeta-Jones is considered one of the veteran and respected actresses. Therefore, her criticism cannot be ignored. On the contrary, it attracts more public attention, because this is not the statement of an outsider, but the words of someone who has spent decades in the film industry.

Meanwhile, Gal Gadot remains silent. That silence makes public opinion even hotter, because the audience is waiting for a reaction from “Wonder Woman” herself. Will she choose to ignore it, or fight back to protect her image?

One thing is for sure: the confrontation between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Gal Gadot will not stop at a statement. It has become a symbol for a larger debate: Is Hollywood really fair, or is it just operating according to the “race – image – media formula” to maintain power?

Whatever the outcome, the case will continue to divide the public and spark more heated debate about the true value of the film industry.