The truth about the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Recently, Gal Gadot unveiled her star on the famous Hollywood Boulevard, which already features more than 2,600 honored artists. She thus joins this prestigious list alongside renowned artists such as the Bee Gees, Halle Berry, Ray Charles, and Audrey Hepburn. During the ceremony, the actress who played Wonder Woman emotionally expressed how honored she was to receive this prestigious distinction, making her the first Israeli person to be honored. Indeed, this star is usually awarded as a symbol of success in the entertainment industry. Each inauguration becomes an event with a ceremony and hurried photographers. However, behind all that glitter hides a less glamorous reality. The famous tiles are actually not awarded based on merit as one might believe, but in exchange for a $75,000 check. According to the official website of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, a sponsor of the nominated person is responsible for paying the Hollywood Historic Trust after the application is approved. The fee covers the installation and maintenance of the star as well as the inauguration ceremony. According to content creator Alex Falcone, production companies may pay for these tiles to promote the release of their latest film.

As a reminder, Gal Gadot recently played the evil stepmother in the adaptation of Snow White, a film that turned out to be a failure both commercially and critically. The feature film was also at the heart of several controversies, permanently tarnishing its image. One of the main scandals opposed lead actress Rachel Zegler, who openly expressed pro-Palestinian views publicly, and on the other side Gal Gadot, known for supporting the Israeli army. The politically opposing positions of the two actresses inflamed debates in public forums, creating anti-Snow White campaigns from both sides. This negative publicity became so overwhelming that the film recorded one of the worst openings in Disney’s history at the box office with $42 million in revenue during its opening weekend. For reference, The Little Mermaid had grossed $95 million at launch. It’s possible that the consecration of the former Miss Israel on the Walk of Fame is actually an attempt to polish her image and that of the film rather than a matter of timing.

It should also be noted that there are not only artists whose names are cemented on the Hollywood boulevard. Some fictional characters like Godzilla, Batman, and even Carrie Fisher have their own star. As well as other controversial figures such as Billy Cosby and Donald Trump. The current President of the United States even had his tile vandalized by opponents in 2018. A debate then arose about the potential removal of his star, but the competent authorities decided to keep it. It should also be noted that these streets are a true tourist hotspot, attracting 10 million visitors each year. The Guardian published an article two years ago describing the Walk of Fame as the worst tourist attraction to avoid at all costs. All this questions the notoriety and especially the prestige that surround these stars that no longer seem quite so bright.