Gil Ofarim wants to air his dirty laundry in the jungle - Gil Ofarim seeks redemption on Germany’s jungle reality show after scandal
Gil Ofarim will join the cast of 'Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!' when the new season begins on January 23, 2023. The singer, once known for his late-1990s pop hit 'Round ’N’ Round (It Goes)', now faces a different kind of spotlight after admitting to fabricating a 2021 claim of antisemitic discrimination. His appearance on the RTL reality show marks an attempt to rebuild his public image.
Ofarim first rose to fame in the late 1990s with his English-language single 'Round ’N’ Round (It Goes)', which topped charts across Europe. Around the same time, he starred in a 'Bravo' magazine 'photo love story', sparking a wave of fan letters from teenage admirers. His early career seemed promising, but recent years brought controversy.
In 2021, Ofarim accused a hotel employee of antisemitic discrimination in a widely shared video, later dubbed the 'Star of David affair'. By 2023, he admitted the claim was false, leading to legal consequences and personal struggles. Reports later revealed he had battled panic attacks and alcohol dependency in the aftermath.
Now, the 41-year-old is turning to reality television for a fresh start. By joining 'Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!', he aims to let viewers form their own opinion of him beyond the scandal. The show’s producers have framed his participation as a chance for redemption.
Beyond music and controversy, Ofarim’s name also lives on in science. A moth species from the 'Amata' genus, discovered on Mount Hermon, was named 'Amata gil' in his honour.
Ofarim enters the jungle reality show with a clear goal: to move past the fallout of his fabricated discrimination claim. His time on 'Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!' will test whether audiences are willing to separate the artist from his past actions. The season begins on January 23, 2023, with his performance under scrutiny both on and off screen.
