Power Couple's Elior Sparks Controversy Saying He Didn't Know What 'Gay' Meant in 2026

Elior Sofer, a participant in the Israeli reality show "Power Couple" on Channel 13, has sparked controversy after admitting he did not know what the term "gay" meant until recently. In a preview for an episode airing Monday, Elior and his wife Odia Pinto revealed they attended a Reform Pride wedding for the first time. Elior explained that he had never encountered the concept before, saying, "I didn't know what gay was," and attributed this to never having close friends or exposure to the topic.

The remarks drew criticism from former "Big Brother" contestant Dror Klir, who expressed shock on Instagram. Klir questioned Elior's awareness in 2026, asking, "What world does he live in? Does he not watch television?" He called Elior's ignorance "strange" and "sad," lamenting that some people still lack basic understanding of LGBTQ+ identities. Klir also questioned whether Israel was regressing to a "third world country" in terms of social awareness.

This incident follows previous controversies on "Power Couple," including Odia Pinto's failure to recognize former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The show continues to generate public debate over participants' social awareness and attitudes. The upcoming episode featuring Elior and Odia's experience at the Pride wedding is expected to air Monday evening on Channel 13.