Fact-checking viral image: Was Gal Gadot’s Walk of Fame star destroyed after protests at her ceremony?

A viral photo claims Gal Gadot’s Walk of Fame star was vandalized following protest disruptions.

A viral image circulating online appears to show a vandalized Hollywood Walk of Fame star, initially believed to belong to actress Gal Gadot. However, investigations confirm that the image is unrelated to Gadot and instead originates from a promotional event by singer Tate McRae.

Too late https://t.co/s54rlBz8Rf pic.twitter.com/MECcLCpi6c

— Lauren Jauregui (fan account) (@jaguars_lauregu) March 18, 2025

The confusion arose after a photo showing a damaged star with a hammer beside it went viral on social media, sparking speculation about an act of vandalism targeting Gadot’s newly unveiled star. This assumption was fueled by the controversy surrounding her Walk of Fame ceremony, which was disrupted by both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters. Demonstrators gathered before the event, holding signs and chanting slogans, causing delays. Law enforcement was present to manage the crowd, though no arrests were reported, according to a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department.

While Gadot’s ceremony did face disruptions, the viral image of a damaged star is entirely unrelated. Instead, it is part of a creative marketing stunt for Tate McRae’s upcoming album, So Close To What. The singer unveiled her tracklist by featuring song titles on a replica of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. The damaged star, which was never officially part of the Walk of Fame, was used symbolically to generate buzz for her album release.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF-1zshxleY/

This incident highlights the rapid spread of misinformation online. While many assumed Gadot’s star was defaced, the truth is far less dramatic. Ultimately, Gadot’s Hollywood star remains untouched, and the viral image was simply a clever marketing move by McRae—another reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread.