Israeli Influencer Kim Or Azulai Embraces Motherhood Amid Public Backlash and Acting Success

At 24, Kim Or Azulai, an Israeli influencer and actress with over a decade of experience, is preparing to become a mother while navigating public scrutiny and advancing her acting career. Azulai, who rose to fame at age 12 on the children’s show "The Boys and Girls," recently faced significant criticism after revealing her unborn baby's gender during a promotional event for a baby food substitute brand, Materna. Critics accused her of promoting formula feeding over breastfeeding before her child was born, a controversy Azulai described as unexpectedly harsh and primarily driven by women with strong agendas. She emphasized that she never opposed breastfeeding and felt unfairly attacked, especially by older women, and that the campaign was simply a brand promotion.

Despite the backlash, Azulai stands by the campaign and highlights the sensitivity surrounding motherhood choices, advocating for support rather than judgment of mothers regardless of feeding methods. She shared that the experience made her reconsider how much she shares publicly about her pregnancy, acknowledging the complexity of discussing motherhood in the public eye.

Alongside her personal life, Azulai is starring in the new Israeli film "Hill 338," a tribute to the classic "Hill of Halfon," acting alongside prominent Israeli actors. She postponed her pregnancy to take on this pivotal role, which will also be adapted into a TV series. Azulai described the professional environment as highly respectful and inspiring. She also recently appeared in Avi Nesher’s film "Our Loves," which intertwines stories around the events of October 7, and recounted experiencing a real siren alert during filming, which triggered her first anxiety attack.

Azulai balances her public career with her private life, married to basketball player Yiftach Ziv. They navigate differing comfort levels with social media exposure, especially regarding their child. Azulai enjoys sharing her life online but respects her husband's preference for privacy. She also discussed her evolving identity from influencer to actress and entrepreneur, noting past challenges in being taken seriously as an actress due to her social media background.

Looking ahead, Azulai is embracing her pregnancy with confidence, describing herself as feeling more feminine and sexy than ever. She plans to return to her active lifestyle and work after maternity leave, while also reflecting on the challenges of motherhood and maintaining her individuality. She avoids sharing political or religious views online to prevent divisiveness but openly embraces her Jewish identity in a personal way.