The painful price of Michelle Gerzig: "I was explicitly told it's because I'm Israeli"
The international model opens up in an interview about the heavy price she pays abroad: "I've had work invitations and then suddenly had them cancelled," dealing with anxiety attacks since the army: "It normalizes a very important discourse," and life alongside Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois: "It requires a lot from us" - a revealing interview.
International Israeli model Michelle Gerzig continues to establish her status at the top of the fashion world. These days, she is starring in the new campaign for the Italian fashion brand Diesel for the 2026 winter and holiday season. The campaign is expected to launch during the holiday period.
On the occasion of the campaign shoot, Gerzig shared her feelings about the connection to the Italian brand and the personal and professional development she has undergone over the years. "I'm in Tel Aviv, on set, shooting a new campaign for Diesel, the fall-winter 2026 campaign. Honestly, the collection is crazy. There are so many things here that I love, that I just want to take everything with me. Diesel is a brand that I really love. I wear it in my daily life too and I really connect to it, because it's simply my style. It has something that is both sexy, but at the same time cool, young and effortless. I really love this combination, which can be very feminine and strong, but still feel natural."
When asked about the change she has undergone in her fashion choices since the beginning of her journey, Gerzig explained that experience has brought with it confidence and a refinement of personal style. "Wow, I think I mainly learned to love simplicity. I have a lot of basics and a lot of combinations of denim with a good tank top, and that's pretty much my go-to look in daily life. Once, maybe I would have felt that I needed to invest more and add more things, and today I am much more confident in myself and know what works for me. Sometimes good jeans and a tank top are really all you need."
Social responsibility and openness regarding mental health
Gerzig, who maintains a successful international career and a presence on social media, believes that a model's role today is no longer just a visual impression. She sees her exposure as a tool for raising awareness and social change. "I think the modeling world has changed completely. I started modeling 16 years ago, and it's just a completely different world today. I think that today we also have a responsibility to use the power and the place we are in, especially because of social media. We have the opportunity to raise topics that are important to us, to raise awareness of things that aren't always talked about, and to let people feel that they are not alone."
In her words, she also shared her personal struggle with mental difficulties and the importance of open discourse: "I talked about my anxiety attacks, which started for me after the army, and about other things I deal with. I think that when you talk about these things openly, it normalizes a very important discourse. Especially for girls, boys, and the younger generation, who can see someone they know from the screen and think, 'Okay, she experiences these things too.' In my opinion, this has meaning."
The price of being an Israeli model abroad
As someone who lives and works in Europe, Gerzig does not avoid addressing the complex challenges and antisemitism she is forced to deal with in the international professional arena. "Yes, I do pay a price. I've had work invitations and then suddenly had them cancelled, and I was explicitly told that it's because I'm Israeli and that it doesn't fit right now. It's not something implied, they said it unequivocally. Sometimes people just don't want to enter situations that might cause controversy or cause them to deal with the conflict, but in the end, the one who pays for it is me, and that of course also hurts the work."
However, regarding her daily life in Spain, she notes that the routine is quieter: "In daily life in Spain, I don't feel it very strongly. It's clear that there are waves here and there, and it's clear that the situation is complex, but in my personal life and in the environment where I live, I don't feel it all the time. I do see and hear things that are happening around, and that of course affects and occupies me, but in daily life, I try to continue living my life."
Family life, football, and looking to the future
Alongside her busy career, Gerzig manages a family life alongside Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Combining the two demanding careers together with raising their daughter requires planning and flexibility. "It's a crazy experience. Both before, during, and after. It's very intense, there are a lot of flights, trips, games, and schedules, and especially when there is a little girl, it requires a lot from us. But it's also a very special and fun experience. And there is something very beautiful in the moment you return home, suddenly there is silence, and then you start to digest everything that happened. This is our time as a family to reconnect and understand the whole experience we went through."
Gerzig explained that the key to success lies in cooperation and mutual support: "If the timing is right, it helps a lot. For example, now I'm here and working, so Thibaut is a bit more at home and can be more with the child and help. We are constantly trying to coordinate between us and find the balance. In terms of his career, the schedule is a bit more intense and also very specific, so it's not always possible to play with it or move things as you want. But we go with the flow and learn as we go."
When asked about the possibility of returning to live in Israel in the future, Gerzig clarified that the connection to the country remains strong and brave: "We already have a home here, in Beit El, and we definitely see Israel as part of our lives. I don't know how to say what will be in the future, but maybe the center of our lives will also be here at some stage. It's something I don't rule out at all. Currently, our lives are very international, and we are maneuvering between everything, but Israel will always be a significant part of our lives. And God willing, we'll see what the future brings."
