Unexpected Ally: Iranian Anti-Regime Star Asks Supporters to Vote for Noam Bettan
Iranian-Indian Bollywood star Mandana Karimi has stunned social media by calling on her followers to vote for Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In a surprising display of cross-border solidarity, Iranian-Indian actress and model Mandana Karimi, a prominent voice against the Tehran regime, called on her millions of followers to vote for Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Karimi, who was born in Tehran and has since become a major star in Bollywood, shared a post on her Instagram story on Tuesday urging viewers to support Israel’s entry in the first semi-final. Specifically, she pointed her audience toward song number 10, "Michelle," performed by Israeli representative Noam Bettan.
From Tehran to Bollywood
Mandana Karimi is a household name in the Indian entertainment industry, having starred in several successful films and popular reality shows. However, she is equally known for her fierce political activism. Since the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests erupted in Iran, Karimi has used her platform to consistently challenge the Islamic Republic, expressing support for the Iranian opposition and the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
A Bold Cultural Statement
The public endorsement sparked an immediate wave of reactions across social media. Given the intense regional tensions, many users characterized Karimi’s move as "brave" and "moving."
Israelis excitedly shared her story, with many commentators noting that it represents a growing trend of prominent Iranian cultural figures publicly siding with Israel as a rejection of their own government's hostilities.
As Israel continues to climb the betting charts following the semi-final performance, it remains to be seen if the support from high-profile figures like Karimi will translate into the televoting numbers needed for a high placement in the grand final.