Five Years On: A Vision of Unity with Gal Gadot’s Imagine

Five years ago, a group of celebrities attempted to address the escalating pandemic by singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” on Instagram, which was met with widespread criticism. Although many wish to forget March 2020, I revisited the original three-minute video, still available on Gal Gadot’s Instagram. It opens with Gadot reflecting on her self-quarantine experience, explaining her inspiration from an Italian man playing “Imagine” on his balcony, and emphasizing our unity during the crisis.

The video remains an uncomfortable watch, especially with the knowledge of the worsening circumstances that followed. It initially faced backlash for its perceived insensitivity and superficiality. However, some performances stood out, particularly James Marsden’s impressive vocals and commendable efforts by Sia and Leslie Odom Jr.

Additionally, the awkwardness of the video stems from its nostalgic representation of celebrity culture in the early 2010s, where simply gathering famous individuals was celebrated. For instance, Ellen DeGeneres’s 2014 Oscars selfie received immense praise despite being a Samsung advertisement. During that era, audiences found relatable celebrity personas refreshing, especially in light of social movements leading up to the 2016 elections.

However, the release of “Imagine” marked a turning point. Although online engagement was at an all-time high, mere posting was no longer adequate. Later that year, celebrities attempting to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement faced scrutiny for their passive social media strategies, which echoed the criticism aimed at “Imagine.” It showed that hollow gestures failed to contribute meaningfully to significant causes.

Over the past five years, there has been a growing disdain for traditional celebrities, coinciding with a diminishing belief in individual power against systemic issues. Following Trump’s reelection, many celebrities have remained notably quiet, struggling to have an impact during crises like the California wildfires or other political events. When some spoke out regarding causes like Palestinian rights, they faced significant backlash in their careers.

In retrospect, while some argue that celebrities should refrain from speaking for fear of ridicule, Gal Gadot herself acknowledged the video’s misguided intent. At least some artists have distanced themselves from the project. It’s commendable that many now recognize the importance of tangible contributions over empty gestures, yet it evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time when fame seemed to carry a semblance of genuine concern.

Update: An earlier version of this post contained language that could be considered insensitive. That language has since been removed.