After Leonardo DiCaprio’s visit earlier this year resulted in a scuffle with journalists, Bar Refaeli says she will no longer bring her famous friends to Israel.
The Israeli media have closely followed the 22-year-old supermodel and DiCaprio with a hint of pride that a local girl snagged an A-list Hollywood beau.
When Refaeli brought DiCaprio to Israel in March, the couple created a paparazzi storm. After eluding journalists for days, they were met by a group of waiting photographers in Jerusalem. Their bodyguards scuffled with photographers, punching some and damaging equipment.
“I won’t bring anyone famous to Israel because there is a chutzpah here that you won’t see anywhere else,” Refaeli said in comments published Tuesday in the Yediot Ahronot daily.
Refaeli also said she has no regrets about dodging mandatory military service and announced that she’s moving to Los Angeles.
“I don’t regret not having been drafted into the army, because I made out big,” Refaeli said.
While military service has historically been a rite of passage in Israel, a growing number of youths, including several prominent celebrities, have figured out ways to avoid it.
DiCaprio, 32, has received Oscar nominations for his roles in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “The Aviator” and “Blood Diamond.”
He and Refaeli have been romantically linked for about 18 months, and Israeli newspapers regularly run updates on their relationship.