Gal Gadot Responds To Wonder Woman Being Dropped As An Honorary Ambassador For The United Nations: ‘That’s Not Fair’

“Wonder Woman” actress Gal Gadot is not happy about the protests that led to the iconic superheroine being dropped by the United Nations as the Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls.

In October, the lasso-yielding Amazon warrior was named an Honorary Ambassador by the U.N., months before the release of her standalone movie. However, soon after, protestors signed a petition to have Wonder Woman removed from the post. The protestors argued that the position required a real-life feminist role model and not an overtly sexualized character.

The petition read, “Although the original creators may have intended Wonder Woman to represent a strong and independent ‘warrior’ woman with a feminist message, the reality is that the character’s current iteration is that of a large breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots -- the epitome of a ‘pin-up’ girl. This is the character that the United Nations has decided to represent a globally important issue -- that of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.”

Now, Gal Gadot, who plays the superheroine, has responded against the backlash, which eventually led to Diana Prince being removed as the Honorary Ambassador. “There are so many horrible things that are going on in the world, and this is what you’re protesting, seriously?” the 31-year-old Israeli actress told TIME magazine, “When people argue that Wonder Woman should ‘cover up,’ I don’t quite get it. They say, ‘If she’s smart and strong, she can’t also be sexy.’ That’s not fair. Why can’t she be all of the above?”

Gadot also spoke about being a feminist and feminism in the interview. “I think people take it the wrong way when I say I’m a feminist. Feminism is not about burning bras and hating men. It’s about gender equality. Whoever is not a feminist is a chauvinist.”

“Wonder Woman” hits theatres on June 2, 2017.