When Israeli actress Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman in Batman vs. Superman back in 2013, I wrote that she “She looks deceptively cute and spunky, but I bet she kicks major ass.” I didn’t – and still don’t – really know much about her, so I just judged her on her “look” and whether she looked like she could kick some ass as Wonder Woman. My guess is that this version of Wonder Woman will be more about martial arts, because Gal is a pretty small, lithe young woman. Some people even criticized the casting choice just because Gal doesn’t really look like she could physically take on anyone (especially wearing stripper boots). And that’s where we are now. Gal gave an interview to an Israeli publication a few days ago where she discussed the criticisms of her body and whether she was big enough, curvy enough, athletic enough to play Wonder Woman.

Gal on the body criticism: “Don’t be shy. They said that I was too skinny and my boobs were too small.”

Whether she was offended by the criticism: “I’m really lucky nothing in my life was instantaneous. When I was younger I would take criticism really hard. But now it mostly amused me. The true amazons had one boob so it won’t bother them in their archery. So it’s not going to be like real amazons. We always try to make everyone happy but we can’t.

Whether she was embarrassed at the breast-talk: “No. After they asked me here, In Israel, if I have eating disorders and why am I so skinny, they said my head was too big and my body was like a broomstick I can take anything. It’s just empty talk. I understand that part of what I’m doing means being exposed. And part of being exposed is being under fire (criticism). ”

Whether she wants to be known for more than just Wonder Woman: “Playing Wonder Women is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t describe to you how much I wanted to play this character without even knowing I wanted to play her. I met a lot of people from the industry in LA for meetings. They always asked me ‘what’s your dream role?’, and I never could define it. I always answered that I wanted to play a women that is strong and will be a source for women empowerment. I don’t want to play a damsel in distress that needs to be saved. I don’t like it when women in the movies are shown as the victims. I always thought that if I could send out a massage I want to show the strong side of a woman and how she can handle tough situations. [Now] I get to play the strongest most empowering woman ever – Wonder Woman. I’m so grateful and I thank god every day. I want to devour it and enjoy every bite. ”

[Translated interview via Robot Underdog]

Well, that’s the way to handle it. Seriously. I feel sorry for the young women who get so many negative comments about their bodies, but I prefer Gal’s way of handling that criticism. Just acknowledge that everybody’s got an opinion, laugh about it and move on. It probably helps her that her Wonder Woman casting came when she was 28 as opposed to 18 years old. She was already at an age when she was comfortable in her skin and wanting to explore a tough, badass role.

Photos courtesy of WENN.