Karla Sofía Gascón is set to attend the Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, following significant controversy surrounding her past social media posts. Sources confirm Netflix will subsidize her travel and accommodation expenses for the event at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, which is customary for award nominees from the streaming giant. Gascón, nominated for Best Actress for her role in the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, has navigated the tumultuous waters of public opinion after offensive tweets resurfaced recently.
The situation escalated after journalist Sarah Hagi shared screenshots of Gascón's previous posts on X, many of which included derogatory comments about Muslims and remarks pertaining to George Floyd, whom she described as “a drug addict and hustler.” Following backlash and public outcry, Netflix distanced itself from Gascón, removing her from promotional materials for Emilia Pérez. Director Jacques Audiard also criticized her statements as “self-destructive.”
Gascón's attendance at the Oscars, where she could make history as the first openly trans actress to win the award, appeared uncertain just weeks ago. Despite being nominated, she had skipped major planned award appearances including the Critics Choice Awards and the SAG Awards, where she had been nominated and faced significant scrutiny for her past remarks. Gascón took to Instagram and media outlets to issue apologies following the upheaval.
On February 1, Gascón expressed regret over her remarks, stating, “I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts and the hurt they have caused. I am deeply sorry.” She referenced her identity as someone from a marginalized community, emphasizing her fight against societal injustices. Despite her apology, public sentiment remained divided as her co-stars, Saldaña and Gomez, labeled her previous comments as “sad” and “disappointing” during media engagements.
Many details concerning her participation at the Oscars remain unresolved, such as whether she will engage with press on the red carpet or the seating arrangements alongside her cast members. Although she has reportedly maintained a low profile since the tweets surfaced, her history as the first openly transgender actress nominated for the Best Actress Oscar has kept her at the forefront of discussions around representation and accountability.
Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations, leading the charge among all award contenders this season. The film has been recognized for its innovative storytelling and powerful performances, with Gascón's role drawing attention not just for her acting prowess but also for the broader conversation around inclusivity within the industry. Following the BAFTAS awards, where Emilia Pérez won the Best Film not in the English Language award, Audiard gave recognition to Gascón during his speech, expressing pride for their collaborative efforts.
Reactions to Gascón's impending appearance at the Oscars vary. Some industry experts speculate about the potential fallout of her past actions on the film's success. Others see her nomination and presence at such high-profile awards as pivotal for increasing visibility for transgender performers. Observing how the industry reacts to her attendance will likely influence the narrative surrounding both Gascón and the film moving forward.
Despite her controversies, Gascón's story is one of resilience and the continuous struggle for acceptance within Hollywood. The director, cast, and fans of Emilia Pérez are holding on to hopes for the film's success and recognition at the Oscars, concurrently wishing Gascón could transform her platform to advocate for greater unity and inclusivity.