In April of this year, the world of the fans of Tom Haimov and Gal Gavram collapsed, because the couple officially announced their separation.
The viewers, who witnessed all the stages of falling in love of the photogenic couple he met in the "Big Brother" house, felt that their hearts were broken too.
If this opening sounds excessive to you, it's only because you haven't witnessed the intensity of admiration, hopes and emotions that were invested in Chaimov and Gebraam's relationship.
The consequences of the broken heart still reverberate in the field, even three months after the breakup.
"After a few months of dating outside of 'Big Brother,' I felt that something bad was happening between us, but I didn't know what to say yet," he recalls for the first time the feelings that preceded the breakup.
"I felt that something was shaking, that something didn't feel right. We both went through very significant processes and a different period than what we had known until then - together and separately. There were difficulties adjusting to the new situation, to publicity, there were supporters who got into our guts. People interfered in our relationship. There were pressures related to the personal career of Each of us, and when we had to deal with all of this, the communication between us was damaged, until it was non-existent."
How did it affect you?
"We got to the point where we both sank together. When we left 'Big Brother,' I leaned on her. And when she sank, I sank too and I couldn't pick things up. When my partner's Sabbath is not good, I'm not good either.
"I would come home from the office and see that something was wrong. At some point I stopped working, and I was constantly around her to try to improve the situation. I kept trying to find solutions, but nothing helped."
Sounds harsh.
"Gal was my whole world. It was the most beautiful love I had, and suddenly everything crashed. When we went out and there were cameras - we would smile, then come home and everything was over, and I went into my own depression. I would look at her and cry, but not tears, serious crying , cry-cry".
In October of last year came the first crisis of the two.
Didn't you see that coming?
"I knew it was hard, but I wasn't thinking at all about breaking up."
How did you feel?
"I was broken. I remember talking to Rami Vared and he told me, 'Listen, if she wants to break up with you, accept it and accept it.' Just after you posted about the crisis, Tom Aviv, her ex, jumped at the chance and sent her a message . She ignored him. After she ignored him, he came out against her in a story. His entire behavior in the context of Gal was ugly and unacceptable to me, but I don't come to educate people. I can only tell you that I really wouldn't behave like that."
Gebraam and Haimov at the "Big Brother" house, photo: Screen
doomsday
That crisis lasted only a week.
Chaimov sank into pain and heartbreak, until suddenly Gavram showed up at his apartment, knocked on the door and rescued him from his torment.
He, for his part, gave another chance.
"A week later, she suddenly knocks on the door. I say to her, 'My dear, I'm so glad you're back.' As cute as can be."
You weren't hurt?
"I was a little cold because I was hurt, but I still accept and try to reconcile because this partnership was the thing that was most important to me. The first anxiety attack I experienced in my life was after one of our arguments. I sat on the couch and couldn't breathe. But we moved on."
Were you treated during this period?
"I went to psychological and psychiatric treatment. It was important for me to understand what I was going through and how I was coping. I knew that I needed treatment and that I needed an envelope and professionals to accompany me, and that I could not go through this crisis alone."
Did the treatment help?
"At some point my situation improved and I started to recover from the personal crisis, but it was temporary because she was also not in a good place with herself, which led to her depression in the end."
what did you say to her
"I told her, 'You're my life, the greatest love of my life, but I feel like I can't help you, and I'm starting to sink back into myself.' No matter how hard we tried, it just didn't work. Each of us fell into our own abyss. Too many external factors that interfered in our relationship and did not allow us time to solve the problems between ourselves. Everything closed in on us, so that in the end, we were both deeply depressed and could no longer contain each other. So we broke up."
How did the breakup go for you?
"I saw Gal as the mother of my children. She was my whole world and suddenly, when I realized that this was not happening, the world fell on me. There was also a lot of frustration. How can I, your partner, fail to help you, fail to lift you up. I did everything What I could. I talked to whoever was necessary. I told her mother, 'I am your soldier and I will do what is necessary.'
Maybe it's a drop in tension after the reality show?
"No. 'The fireplace' was a good time for me, I had fun and I wasn't scratched. The period that came after and everything that happened with Gal scratched me much more. I was in a lot of pain."
You caught a lot of fire from fans for this breakup. Why, actually?
"I've always been under fire from the fans, even when Gal and I were in love like on a honeymoon.
"We were separated for a while and no one knew we broke up, and she brought up the story about the depression she was in. First of all, I was really worried about her, but it was clear to me that as soon as they found out that we broke up, everyone would think she was depressed because of me and blame me, and that's really what happened."
"My apartment has become half a club."
Tom Haimov, photography: Kafir Ziv, assistant photographer: Chen Levy
Nazta messages?
"I was under an attack of messages from fans. I'll show you messages I received, and you won't believe that people actually sat down and wrote them. I kept reminding myself that I did everything I could and that the writers don't really know anything about what happened, but when there is such a mass of very difficult messages it Can't help but penetrate you.
"I got hit on the head and I was just as hurt as she was, but I didn't say that I sat and cried at home. After this breakup, I started treatment with pills, but I kept the depression to myself and tried to continue to function normally and keep my head above water.
"In 2019, my body betrayed me. It was the most difficult mental period I've ever had in my life. My hair fell out, and my whole body was psoriasis. I thought it was the most difficult period in my life, until the breakup came. I was finished, I suffered and I had a hard time. And I'm not one of those who will light up camera and cry to Instagram. But it was hard for me too. Everyone blamed me. What did you think, that I celebrated? Don't you understand that there is another side to this story? That there are things you don't know? They felt that I was the bad man, that she was hurt, and no one was able to think beyond that." .
Did the women of Israel cling to you after the breakup?
"They started with me, but my head wasn't there, and if they asked, I answered politely. I was with friends, I was with myself, and girls were the last thing that interested me. Now I'm starting to open up and get to know each other, even though love is still a bit too big a word for me."
There were reports of getting closer to two Golans from "New Love".
"Shani Golan is a colleague, a sharp lawyer, and I enjoy talking to her, both on a personal and professional level, but it's not about anything romantic."
Gal and are you in touch?
"No, and the last time I saw her was on the birthday of publicist Zavik Dror. She was there with someone and she seemed fine. It was good for my peace of mind."
pinched you too?
"I can't tell you no. It always does something, but more than the pinch I'm happy for her and I hope she's happy and happy because Gal, once she cleans up the background noises and fixes herself, can be number one in the country."
The handsome man with the character
Haimov, 34, was born and raised in Tel Aviv.
The little son of Meli, a lawyer, and Amos, a diamond.
He broke into our lives at the beginning of 2021, when he was cast in "Big Brother", in the season where Zehava Ben won.
Haimov was already labeled in the opening episode as the handsome man of the season, but he quickly proved that the outer shell also has good character, values, manners, and in general a positive example for a format that likes to cast controversial people.
The spectators at home also appreciated his presence and gave him the honorable third place.
"I came out of 'Big Brother' Shukist. I was completely shocked by everything that was happening. I will not exaggerate and say that it is like being reborn because I entered anonymously and beyond the matter of advertising, all your dealings and agenda include many new people," he says.
"Fortunately, there was Gal there, who was really a balm and a buoy. She directed me, explained to me what to pay attention to, what is important and what is less."
Fun or stressful?
"The first three months were a sweet dream. I returned to work as a lawyer because there were cases in my care and at the same time new offers, good responses and a stunning relationship. Gal was very involved, knew everyone and I am new and don't know anyone, come to events and don't know what to do with myself, scatter Fake smiles while I understand where I am."
What do you think of this season's cast?
"Excellent casting for this type of format. As much as it can be horrible and tough to watch, in the end this is the format and that's what the audience likes. It hits the targets hard. It's a bit messed up that we're complaining about violence on the news and fifteen minutes later they're broadcasting record violence to you in prime time, And there it is legitimate."
who is your favorite
"Daniel. I know you don't see him much, but he has a good heart and he tries to lighten every fight and run a household as fair and comfortable as possible in this house."
the favorite
Daniel Malka, "The Big Brother", photo: Ran Yehezkel
Between a wine bar and the court
Even before "Big Brother" Haimov worked as a bartender at the "Cat and the Dog" club, and at the same time completed law and business administration studies at IDC.
Today he is a partner in the "Ola" restaurant of chef Oren Assido, whom he met at the "Brotherhood" house.
The two also own a wine bar called "Kalma" located in the same complex, and they are working on another project in the field of nightlife.
But no matter what happened at night, in the morning he puts on a suit and takes on the role of lawyer.
"I grew up in a home where I was pushed to study law, and I was a disciplined kid who did what he was told," he recalls.
"On the first day of school, I called my mother crying and told her I didn't want to. But I was too good a boy to do what I was told, and if I do something, I do it to the end."
What is your specialty?
"Real estate, and currently I work more on mediating transactions and marketing the firm, and less office work such as writing pleadings. There are currently other lawyers in the firm who do that."
How did the publication affect your work as a lawyer?
"The advertising had only a positive effect. I didn't come across a single response that refers to the fact that the advertising had a negative effect on me. Rather, people probably really liked what they saw on TV and understand that I always work from the heart. In my opinion, the advertising only added and lifted me up because the bottom line in reality is that you bring yourself, and you always will Someone who will understand the situation and be sensitive to you."
What are your ambitions in the field?
"To continue to grow together with the office, to finish the appraisal studies and to continue to deal with urban renewal, and maybe also entrepreneurship in the future."
If you didn't study law, what would you study?
"Acting and music, these are two areas that have been my dream since a young age."
These two dreams will soon come true, after Haimov was cast as the first actor in a new youth series, in which the ex in question, Gal Gebraam, was also cast.
"I've been studying acting for a year. I studied with Naor Zilberman and Ohad Knoller and I also worked with Gal Atamit. I recently finished the Meisner workshop and I'm investing a lot in it," he says.
There are complaints from acting school graduates that reality TV refugees are stealing their roles.
"No one will give me a role just because of the number of followers or because I was in 'Big Brother'. When we are cast, it is clear that we provide added value, and it is true that there are actors who have studied and invested a lot of time, but apparently when casting for series they also consider public relations and that is part of the game.
"It's true, I didn't go to acting school for four years, but I can also tell you for sure that if I wasn't good, I wouldn't have gotten a role. That's why it won't stop me from jumping at the opportunity and taking it with both hands. Keep in mind that because I'm branded as a reality TV star there is also Those who in advance will not even consider watching my audition, so the coin has two sides."
How did you react when you got the positive answer?
"I cried because the child in me cried. This goes beyond accepting a role. I was a child who wanted to act, and when I would tell my mother that, she would tell me that a lawyer in court needs acting skills. This was her way of convincing me."
"I went to psychological and psychiatric treatment. It was important for me to understand what I was going through and how I was coping."
Tom Haimov, photography: Kafir Ziv, assistant photographer Chen Levy
Where do you have more fun?
"When I'm in court I'm anxious, and when I'm filming an audition I'm excited. Before a court appearance I wouldn't sleep at night from fear, but before an audition I'm excited in a positive way. I blossom in front of the camera."
You have a clause in the contract that you don't take pictures with each other. Was it your request or hers?
"Hers, and I think this is a good solution for both of us. I understand her completely, and if this is what will make it easier for her, there is no question here at all. This will be my first role, so it will also be easier for me to concentrate on the role and not on the sediments of the past."
There is also a gimmick in this casting.
"Obviously it's a gimmick, but I would have taken the role even without the clause in question because I want to act. There was no hesitation at all."
The second dream, music, will soon come true when he releases the first track he created himself during the breakup crisis.
"During this period, I found solace in music. I bought two amplifiers, a sound card, a record player, and started playing," he says.
What about you and music?
"I have always loved music. At the age of 6 I started playing the keyboard and at the age of 14 the guitar, but I never developed it professionally. When I started working at 'The Cat and the Dog' I opened my mind and began to delve deeper into techno, I learned and fell in love. Everything stopped when I started studying law. In the marital crisis Music was my ultimate escape at the hobby level."
Is this a new career?
"Absolutely. It's a childhood dream and I enjoy creating in the studio."
Is someone accompanying you?
"I happened to meet an old friend from the industry, we talked about music and he told me that he was starting a new electronic music label. I plucked up the courage and played him pieces that I was creating. The next day he called and said he wanted to sign me. I explained to him that I was a lawyer and that I was not going to leave the profession , so we agreed that I would just curate and move forward wherever it would lead us."
Do you see yourself playing at parties?
"Obviously. My guys laugh about the fact that my apartment has become half a club. I'm enthusiastic about the pieces I create, and every time friends come over I record all the new material for them. I'm really looking forward to playing at parties and seeing everyone dancing to music I created in the home studio My little one. It's exciting."
Don't you think it would look like a gimmick of another reality TV star who thinks he's a DJ?
"There may be those who say that, and that's fine. I'll let the music do the talking. I'm a creator and producer of electronic music with an ambition to be a DJ who plays it. And when the music is good - everything's good, I'm not worried."
erans@israelhayom.co.il
Photo: Kafir Ziv, shirt and pants: Tommy Hilfiger for Factory 54
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