Israeli Actress Eliyana Bakir Reflects on Career Slump and Life Abroad

Israeli actress Eliyana Bakir, known for her roles in early 2000s hits like "HaShir Shelanu" (Our Song) and her win on "Dancing with the Stars," has opened up about a significant career downturn that led her to leave Israel. Bakir described a period about 20 years after her initial rise to fame where "the phone simply stopped ringing," leading to a sharp decline in work and auditions.

She explained that she didn't leave Israel at the peak of her career, but rather when work dried up. "There were a few really good years and then suddenly there was nothing," she stated, describing the abrupt shift as "very hard" and feeling like she was "kicked out." This period of professional difficulty prompted her to pursue further education and therapy to recover.

Following this, Bakir moved abroad with her family, first to Shanghai and then to London due to her husband's work. While they currently reside in London, she has been returning to Israel more frequently for professional opportunities. She expressed openness to working on a London-Israel line but no permanent return for the family.

Bakir is now producing the Israeli Film Festival in London and Europe and is involved in a new play in London, marking her first acting role in English. She also spoke about the challenges of motherhood, particularly raising twins, and the importance of normalizing difficulties mothers face. Since October 7th, she has encountered anti-Israel sentiment in her work, particularly at the film festival, with some people hesitant to work with the event due to potential protests. Despite this, she remains committed to dialogue.

She also expressed strong feelings about her Israeli identity and her children's connection to Israel, noting they hold Israeli passports and are raised with a strong sense of their heritage. Bakir and her family plan to return to Israel to vote in upcoming elections, hoping for change.