In the story she posted, Refaeli wrote: "Penelope Cruz, I'm sure you mean well, but when you compare the release of 20 Israeli hostages who were brutally kidnapped from their homes while asleep, or from a party while dancing (while more than 1,000 of their friends and family members were murdered!) to the release of 2,000 convicted terrorists!!!! What are you trying to say? What's the message? I can understand that you're happy this war – we never wanted! – Is over, but this is what you chose to message the world?"

The video that sparked the controversy

The video Cruz posted showed scenes of Palestinian prisoners being released and returning to their families. She did not include a caption or explicit commentary, but the sharing itself was perceived in Israel as a political statement.

This is not the first time the Hollywood star has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian side; Cruz previously sparked controversy when she signed a letter supporting "Free Gaza."

The 20 living hostages who had been held in Gaza since October 7, 2023, finally returned to Israel on Tuesday.

As part of the ceasefire agreement mediated by President Donald Trump, approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were released simultaneously, including about 250 who had been convicted of serious offenses, including murdering Israelis, though most were administrative detainees without convictions.

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Michaels, 32, claims that Geffen, 82, reneged on promises he had made to him over the years, including a commitment to financially support him and ensure his welfare for life, despite no written agreement being signed between them. According to the lawsuit filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the relationship between the two began in 2016, in a meeting on the dating site SeekingArrangements, a controversial platform for relationships between "sugar daddies" and "sugar babies."

David Geffen accused of paying thousands for sex, forcing cosmetic procedures on estranged husband in bombshell lawsuit https://t.co/m1ZS7O4zDZ pic.twitter.com/6MNrtFQisZ

— Page Six (@PageSix) July 23, 2025

 Michaels claims that already on the night of their first meeting, Geffen paid him $10,000 for sexual relations, and since then, the relationship between the two developed into an institutionalized romantic relationship, initially as an intimate partnership, and later as marriage without a financial agreement.

Without contract and with many expectations

In March 2023, the two married in a civil ceremony, without a prenuptial agreement, which, according to Michaels, strengthened his sense of security and trust toward his billionaire partner. However, shortly afterward, the picture changed. According to the lawsuit, Michaels, who allegedly gave up his modeling career and financial independence, found himself controlled, manipulated, and allegedly humiliated. Geffen demanded that he undergo laser hair removal, painful dental treatments, and even frequently criticized his external appearance.

The sharper allegations further claim that Geffen turned Michaels into a "display object," attractive prey for photos with his friends from the upper echelon, while in private treated him as a tool for sexual satisfaction and as a redesign project. According to Michaels' claim, Geffen even supplied him and himself with various drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis, aboard his luxurious yacht, Rising Sun, where he frequently hosted high-level guests.

From promise to love to billion-dollar lawsuit

After Michaels entered rehabilitation treatment in early 2025, he claims he tried to rehabilitate his life and break free from his dependence on Geffen. But according to him, Geffen responded with a drastic step by cutting off financial support, demanding divorce unilaterally, and even demanding that Michaels vacate his New York apartment, which allegedly caused him to become homeless.

The lawsuit claims that the relationship between the two resembled the plot of the movie "Pretty Woman," but in a dark version involving a young, Black, homosexual, and formerly orphaned man, who was trapped by a white and influential tycoon who "wrapped the exploitation in a cloak of compassion and generosity." Michaels now seeks financial compensation, residential housing, and ongoing financial support that will allow him to live with dignity.

Publicized legal battle

Geffen's attorney in the civil lawsuit, Patricia Glaser, completely denied the allegations, declaring, "There was never any contract, written, oral, or implied, between the parties. We will respond to this lawsuit decisively and boldly. This is a pathetic and false lawsuit."

Geffen, who retired from his businesses and whose wealth is currently estimated at $9 billion, is represented in the divorce proceedings by senior attorney Laura Wasser, known as Hollywood's "divorce queen," while attorney Patricia Glaser leads his legal defense in the civil lawsuit. Michaels, for his part, is assisted by attorney Samantha Spector, who has collaborated with Brian Friedman, a prominent attorney specializing in complex celebrity cases.

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In her post, Rodrigo composed a direct and unambiguous message declaring: "There are no words to describe the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people in Palestine. Mothers, fathers, and children in Gaza are starving, dehydrated, and being denied access to basic medical care and humanitarian aid. There is no child in Israel, Palestine, or anywhere in the world who deserves to suffer through what we're seeing these children have to endure. It is horrific and completely unacceptable. To give up on them is to give up on our shared humanity."

She subsequently revealed her contribution to the UN International Emergency Fund for Children (UNICEF): "I have made a donation to @unicef to help support the victims of this horrifying situation and encourage you to do the same if you have the means." The post included a direct link to the charitable organization and featured a Palestinian flag symbol, which clearly demonstrated Rodrigo's chosen allegiance.

Social media responses arrived quickly. Hundreds of admirers globally shared the story, with some expressing gratitude for her courage to speak out, while others appreciated her acknowledgment despite believing her statement could have been more forceful. "I always knew Olivia Rodrigo was the most authentic woman in this industry," one fan posted on X. Another supporter added that she never wanted to hear anyone argue that Olivia was not a good person or was doing nothing.

However, critical responses also emerged. "It's been a year and a half since Israel started the genocide in Gaza, and it's disappointing it took her so long to speak, and she still feels the need to mention Israel in the post," one social media user commented.

While the current post may have attracted particular attention, for Rodrigo, this represented another logical progression in a sequence of public declarations addressing social issues and human rights. In recent years, she has established an image as a young celebrity with a distinct agenda.

The young performer did not hesitate to speak forcefully against the reversal of the "Roe v. Wade" decision and maintained unwavering support for women's reproductive rights. Concurrently, she championed initiatives for girls' education and immigrant rights, partnering with organizations and activists across multiple campaigns. While other celebrities shared masked selfies, Rodrigo boldly appeared at the White House itself to encourage young people to receive coronavirus vaccinations.

She remained similarly engaged during the Black Lives Matter movement. Protests, sharp social media posts, and public endorsements transformed her into an unofficial representative of frustrated Generation Z. Those who assumed she would avoid addressing monarchy institutions were mistaken – in 2025, she led the #NoKings social media campaign. Consistent with her role as an opinion leader, she encouraged youth voter participation through partnerships with the HeadCount organization.

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Del Rey expressed clear support for Palestinians, writing, "Of course we pray for Palestine every day," and added, "I wish for peace between all nations and am constantly up on all of the news between the Israel Palestine conflict." She acknowledged that "I was very hopeful when we were getting close to a peace treaty."

Alongside her words of hope, Del Rey did not hesitate to use more blunt language, stating, "It's always difficult to watch any innocent victims killed by crimes of war," and added that "It's heartbreaking and unfathomable to think there hasn't been a way to find some resolution." She also addressed the complexity of expressing positions on sensitive issues, writing, "There is never a good way of wording things that will make all people happy but that is my personal truth. Politically I do keep up and have been very much hoping for cease fire. This is a long ongoing conflict and one I've studied hard to understand."

This is not the first time Del Rey has inserted herself into the political swamp. In 2018, she canceled her planned performance at the Meteora Festival in the Judean Desert after pressure from the BDS boycott movement, declaring she could not coordinate a performance in both Israel and Palestinian territories, writing on Twitter, "It's important for me to perform in both Palestine and Israel, and to respect all my fans."

Del Rey tried to calm the storm earlier when she claimed that "a performance in Tel Aviv is not a political statement," adding that "singing in California doesn't mean I support the American government." Nevertheless, in the end, she folded. Just like Katy Perry before her and Lorde after her, Del Rey joined the list of artists who prefer to maintain world peace (or at least their international careers) rather than enter a geopolitical minefield.

While her fans in Israel remained confused, and primarily without a performance, Del Rey declares her positions are "identified with liberal views regarding democracy and oppression," but on the other hand, she tries to be "neutral" and pains for "both sides" in the conflict.

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The city of Venice, which is usually accustomed to concerts and romantic cruises, experienced an invasion of a different kind as private jets (no fewer than 90) landed at Marco Polo Airport. Names like Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, the Kardashian-Jenner family, and even Queen Rania of Jordan turned the event into an international VIP festival.

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