A Near-Death Car Accident Forced Him to a Year of Bed Rest. Then His Life Took an Unexpected Turn (Exclusive)
- - A Near-Death Car Accident Forced Him to a Year of Bed Rest. Then His Life Took an Unexpected Turn (Exclusive)
Madison E. GoldbergJanuary 30, 2026 at 6:00 AM
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David Carmi, the Host Behind Popular 'Confidence Heist' Viral Video Series, is Asking What Makes You Confident
David Carmi
David Carmi interviews celebrities and New Yorkers on the streets of New York City's SoHo neighborhood for his viral video series Confidence Heist
Carmi, 26, started the video series after surviving a traumatic accident in order to find his own confidence
Carmi recently had a viral interaction with Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper
David Carmi, a 26-year-old from Brooklyn, made a name for himself on social media by asking celebrities and New Yorkers the same question: "What makes you confident?"
In December, Carmi made headlines as he stopped Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper on the streets of SoHo, marking their first joint interview as a couple.
"I've seen your videos. How are you?" Hadid asked Carmi. The influencer then turned to Cooper, who answered that "being alive" makes him confident, before cheering, "Woo!"
"One confidence tip for anyone struggling, and I'll let you go," Carmi asked. "Take it day by day," Hadid answered.
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE about the encounter, Carmi recalls how "Bradley opened up" following Hadid's answer. "I think he got more comfortable and sharing that, but the interaction was so organic and so authentic and truthfully amazing."
"The fact that they seemed comfortable with each other and they seemed comfortable with me was also another indication of how I'm getting better with building that skill of rapport and vulnerability with complete strangers," Carmi adds.
Carmi's digital journey started long before he began bumping into celebrities. "The inspiration came from my own struggles of confidence and social anxiety, but truthfully, my story really began five years ago when I was in a traumatic car accident, where it was near death," Carmi tells PEOPLE exclusively.
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"I was forced to be home for a year on bed rest, going to doctors multiple times a week. I kind of had to make more or less a decision with myself and really kind of see, 'OK, which direction I want to go [in]?' And that's when I discovered journaling as a way of self-reflection," Carmi continues.
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He notes that after several months of journaling and reflecting on his "traumatic" accident, which he says was both "mentally challenging" and "physically challenging," he began to recognize his own "strengths" and "weaknesses" from writing out his thoughts.
"From journaling, [that's] where I realized that confidence was my struggle," Carmi tells PEOPLE.
David Carmi, the Host Behind Popular 'Confidence Heist' Viral Video Series
David Carmi
Carmi went on to credit a close friend named Isaac with encouraging him to hit the streets of New York and ask people about what makes them confident. "Instantly and immediately, I rejected that idea," Carmi said, adding that he was still "struggling" with "the thought of going up to someone and approaching them."
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"So I did give it maybe a month or so of thought and back and forth until I had that leap of faith in September of 2022 to go out to the streets of SoHo and start asking, 'What makes you confident?' Confidence Heist was a journey of self-exposure, constantly putting yourself out there," Carmi adds.
Carmi explains that progress was not linear for him, but the journey still feels well worth the challenges. "There were days and months where it felt like every day was the same. There was no progress being made. But with consistency, anything is possible. And that's really, you know, honestly, three years now of doing this, it's been such an amazing journey. I've met so many amazing people. And I can't wait to see where the next three years will bring me."
David Carmi, the Host Behind Popular 'Confidence Heist' Viral Video Series, Interviews Charli xcx
David Carmi
Since starting Confidence Heist, Carmi has interviewed Kaia Gerber, Charli xcx, Emira D'Spain, Meghan Trainor, Mr. Fantasy, Ralph Lauren, Pat Monahan, and more.
When asked about his favorite street interview, Carmi says he tries to keep an open mind. "Generally, you learn something from everybody," he says, though he notes that in his viral interview with Machine Gun Kelly, he prided himself on having the bravery to approach him while he was on the phone.
"I had that persistence to continue to pursue this video, because I work a lot by energy, and I felt it in a way of he was going to be open to it. And it was something that he said that resonated with me, and I was so grateful that it came from someone at his level, where a lot of people look up to him," Carmi recalls.
David Carmi interviews Pat Monahan of Train
David Carmi
Carmi confirmed that none of his videos are staged, and that every celebrity and influencer he interviews, he runs into organically. "There's nothing better than stopping a complete stranger off guard and having them get to such a vulnerable state. It really is truly inspiring, and I've learned so many qualities, so many things from people, just from having the confidence in myself to ask the difficult questions," Carmi tells PEOPLE exclusively.
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"I think I've learned so much, and I think vulnerability is one of those things where once you master it, it would change your life, and it would improve your confidence," Carmi added.
When asked about what he hopes to accomplish with Confidence Heist, Carmi replies, "You know, people put so much on themselves every day. And that really stems from comparison. But when you're truly confident, you know, exact people, what your values are, and who you are as a person, that's the goal in life."
Carmi continues, "When you look in the mirror every day and you can really say, 'I love myself for the way I look.' I know I can get better in everything, but right now, I love who I am. That's the most beautiful place to be in."
After asking so many people the same question, Carmi finally has the answer himself. "What makes me confident is my faith in a higher power and experience and consistency, and just honestly, facing your fears every single day, repetition, the fact that you can get up every day, you have a vision, and you execute," Carmi tells PEOPLE.
Carmi continues, "That's what builds confidence. But being patient, you're not in a rush, and you're not in a race with anybody else but yourself. ou have a goal, you have a mission, be kind and respectful to other people. I think that truly makes me confident as a person, and I know that it's why I got to where I am today."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
