From Hollywood to the Holy Land: Christian music influencer Lauren Hamrick takes bold stand for Israel

Gen Z Christian music influencer Lauren Hamrick is on a journey from Hollywood to the Holy Land.

In a recent interview with Maayan Hoffman on the ILTV News Podbean podcast, Hamrick described undergoing a “revolution of doubt” – not in her faith in Jesus, but in the media narratives she had long heard about Israel. Determined to see the truth for herself, the music celebrity spent a month in Israel for the first time, and shared her feelings about seeing the locations written about in the Bible.

“You feel the spiritual energy of these places,” Hamrick said. “I’m standing in the cradle of civilization where it all began and I’m walking... I’m following in the footsteps of my biblical heroes; it’s quite surreal.”

Hoffman asked the 28-year-old artist why she left a successful career to advocate for Israel. 

When asked why she walked away from a thriving career to advocate for Israel, the 28-year-old artist explained that the pursuit of success in Hollywood no longer satisfied her.

A Tennessee native, Hamrick had worked with the U.S. House of Representatives on creators’ rights before rising to one of Hollywood’s “big three,” representing a worldwide talent roster for United Talent Agency. She managed multi-platinum and diamond-certified artists and even consulted for the hit U.S. television singing competition "American Idol.

Yet, the glitter began to fade for Hamrick. What mattered more was devoting her voice to truth – and to Israel – no matter what the cost.

"You realize that nothing lasts forever,” she told Hoffman. "Entertainment will never deliver on the immortality that it promises.”

Regarding Israel, Hamrick said, “There is something eternal about this place.”

She emphasized the importance of truth, explaining how her perspective shifted after realizing how many lies had been told about Israel.

“If you've ever suffered, if anyone's ever spoken a wrong word against you, then you understand. You can simulate the experience of an Israeli in wartime Israel because it's for them, it's painful and it's personal… but for me... I know what it's like to be lied against.”

She added, “I just told myself, I'm gonna do whatever it takes. I don't care what controversy or ire I draw from the public, I don't care if it loses me opportunities and entertainment.”

While many voices – even within the Christian world – have been critical of Israel, Hamrick argued, “There is no Christianity without Judaism, and I also think we fail to remember all the time that… Jesus was a Jew and to use his name against the very people from which he came is just absurd.”

Speaking about her own generation, she added, “I feel like it is my calling to help my fellow generation... and help us soberly seek the truth.” Hamrick was referring to Gen Z, the demographic cohort born roughly between 1997 and 2012.

Hamrick also highlighted Israel’s role in the wider regional struggle, telling Hoffman, “Israel is the dam that holds back the torrential flood of radical Islamic jihad. I think the West doesn’t understand what Islam is.”

“You guys are fighting our fights,” she said. “You guys are protecting us from all the forces that say they're also coming for the Sunday people.”

Hamrick rejected claims that Christians are unsafe in Israel, pointing to her own experience.

“I walk in freedom. I am openly and proudly an American and a Christian, and I am loved and protected. It is the only state in the region that would protect someone exactly like me.”

“We have to remember where we come from,” Hamrick said, urging Christians to stand with Israel.

“I tell people also, come to Israel, come see it for yourself and touch the place that these biblical heroes have walked on, and experience it, and you will come to understand almost immediately.”

Declaring her commitment, Hamrick told Hoffman, “I want to give myself fully to this,” adding, “Music can wait.”

When asked why she would give up so much and risk public scorn, she answered simply: “Just because it’s the right thing to do.”

Click here to listen to Christian music influencer Lauren Hamrick's entire podcast with ILTV News Executive Editor Maayan Hoffman.