Swell Ariel Or (born c. 2000) is an Israeli actress based in the United States who is best known for her role in the Israeli television series The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem. She portrayed Luna, the chief protagonist of the series during its entire duration.

Early life

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Or was born in Tel Aviv and grew up "near the beach". According to Or, her name came from her parents having decided to give her the unusual name of Swell, slang for a surfer’s wave.[1] In 2016, at age 16, she witnessed a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, and was later diagnosed with PTSD.[2][3] She served in the Israeli Defense Forces' Intelligence Corps in 2018 and 2019, and took acting classes during her mandatory military service.[1][4][2][5][6]

Career

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Or started acting in 2020, after serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.[1] She was 21 when she was cast as Luna, the protagonist in yes Drama's The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem.[7] The role was her first acting job.[7]

She subsequently traveled to Brazil and starred in the Brazillian Disney+ series How to be a Carioca.[1] She later starred in the Israeli series, Kissufim, a series detailing Israeli history on a kibbutz in the 20th century.[1][4][2]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Show Role Channel Notes Ref
2021 The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem Luna Yes! TV
How to be a Carioca Laila Disney+
2023 Kissufim

Film

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Year Film Role Notes Ref
2023 Arava Tzipi [8]

Personal life

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Or is of Russian-Jewish, Iraqi-Jewish, and Yemenite-Jewish descent.[7] She moved to Los Angeles in 2023.[2][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Eglash, Ruth Marks (2023-01-08). "Meet the Israeli actress telling the story of Israel's creation – on Netflix After taking on the leading role in 'The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,' Swell Ariel Or tells Jewish Insider that she's heading to Hollywood". Jewish Insider. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Lovy, Howard (2023-09-11). "Actress Swell Ariel Or Educates the Public About Israel and Antisemitism". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. ^ Martinez, Sarah (2023-04-26). "The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem: Star of latest Israeli Netflix hit talks history and terror". I24news. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  4. ^ a b Hajdenberg, Jackie (2023-09-11). "'Beauty Queen of Jerusalem' star Swell Ariel Or opens up on Israel's war: 'My soul is sad'". Jewish Telegraph Agency. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  5. ^ Hajdenberg, Jackie (27 June 2023). "2nd season of 'Beauty Queen of Jerusalem' to air July 14 on Netflix Latest installment of historical drama, which focuses on the travails of a Sephardic Ladino-speaking family, already released on Israeli TV". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  6. ^ Botbol, Amelie (2023-10-12). "Nonprofits working hard to bring IDF reservists back from abroad". Jewish News Syndicate. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  7. ^ a b c Karpen, Elizabeth (2023-09-07). "'Beauty Queen of Jerusalem' actress Swell Ariel Or shares about Sephardic representation and playing Luna Ermoza". Unpacked. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  8. ^ Zeitlin, Alan (2023-06-15). "Israeli Director Talks About Her Award-Nominated Film". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  9. ^ Zeitlin, Alan (2023-10-27). "The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem Moves to LA". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-24.