The controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of Emilia Pérez, has intensified dramatically as her past social media posts come under public scrutiny. What began as a moment of celebration, with Gascón being nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, has quickly evolved, mired by accusations stemming from her resurfaced tweets. These tweets, which many have deemed anti-Muslim and racist, have caused ripples not only for Gascón but also for the film, which boasts 13 Oscar nominations, marking it as the most-nominated non-English language film in Academy Awards history.
Initially, Gascón's nomination on January 23, 2025, was hailed as groundbreaking. She made history as the first openly trans individual nominated for any acting category at the Academy Awards. But the jubilation was short-lived. Shortly after the accolades started coming, old tweets from Gascón's account were brought to light, drawing widespread criticism and backlash. One of the tweets read, “Islam is marvelous, without any machismo. Women are respected... How DEEPLY DISGUSTING OF HUMANITY.” Another tweet alluded to her concerns about increasing visibility of Muslim women, stating, “Are there more Muslims in Spain? Every time I pick up my daughter, there are more women with their hair covered...” These messages painted Gascón as someone harboring problematic views, leading to public outrage.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gascón caught heat for comments made about fellow nominee Fernanda Torres, whom she accused of having publicists speak negatively about her film. Amid heated discussions, she insisted her remarks were focused on broader social media toxicity, not targeted at Torres herself. Despite this clarification, the damage was done, with prominent voices within both the film community and the broader public demanding accountability.
By January 31, Gascón had deleted her controversial tweets and expressed remorse for any pain she had caused. “I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts,” she stated, recognizing their impact. Yet, her gesture of contrition was not enough to silence the dissent. Shortly thereafter, reports indicated Netflix, the film's distributor, had begun to distance itself from her. They reportedly removed her from Oscar promotional emails and adjusted the film's advertising to prioritize co-star Zoe Saldaña, indicating major rifts within the film’s promotional team.
Saldaña, who shares the screen with Gascón, shared her thoughts during the tumult. “I’m sad. Time and time again, that's the word... I can only attest to my experience, and never did I believe we would be here,” she expressed, stating her disappointment at the situation. Her emphasis on inclusivity and collaboration highlighted the stark contradiction to Gascón's remarks.
Director Jacques Audiard was even more frank during his discussions, openly condemning Gascón's past comments and her recent handling of the backlash. He stated, “It’s very hard for me to think back to the work I did with Karla Sofía. The trust we shared is affected when you read something hateful.” Audiard described Gascón’s situation as “self-destructive,” emphasizing confusion over her continuing actions, questioning, “Why is she harming herself? Why?” He noted how her actions not only jeopardized her career but also the efforts of the entire cast and crew who have worked tirelessly on Emilia Pérez.
Despite the controversy, which some argue has overshadowed the film's achievements, Emilia Pérez continues its awards season run with 13 Oscar nods. Questions loom about whether Gascón’s past will mar the film’s chances or if it will rise above the scandal, showcasing the talent behind it. Other nominations include Audiard for Best Director and Saldaña for Best Supporting Actress.
Through all this turmoil, Gascón recently appeared on CNN en Español, where she passionately defended her position, stating, “I am neither racist, nor anything those people have tried to make others believe.” This statement did little to cool the heated discussion surrounding her online presence, particularly as she acknowledged the historic significance of her nomination.
Looking forward, the future remains uncertain for both Gascón and Emilia Pérez. With the Oscars just around the corner on March 2, all eyes will be on how the growing controversy continues to shape the narrative. Can the film navigate the turmoil of its star’s troubled past, or will it collapse like so many before it, faltering under the weight of public scrutiny? Only time will tell.