Actress Karla Sofía Gascón, once celebrated for her trailblazing role as the first transgender woman nominated for an Academy Award, is now at the center of controversy following the resurfacing of old racist tweets, leading to her withdrawal from the upcoming 2025 Goya Awards. This decision, confirmed by the producers of her latest film, 'Emilia Pérez', aims to quell the backlash against her inflammatory comments and protect the film’s chances at forthcoming awards.
The tweets, which originated from her social media accounts between 2016 and 2022, include disparaging remarks about Muslim communities, provoking public outrage after they were highlighted by Canadian journalist Sarah Hagi. Hagi tweeted, "It’s so insane... never seen tweets this racist from someone actively campaigning to win an ACADEMY AWARD." Gascón’s comments about the increasing presence of Muslims in Spain drew accusations of Islamophobia, sparking widespread denunciation from the public and industry insiders alike.
Feeling the heat from the backlash, Netflix, which distributes 'Emilia Pérez' internationally, has taken the significant step of removing Gascón from all promotional activity surrounding the film. This includes her absence from key events leading up to the Oscars, where Gascón is nominated for Best Actress. Insiders confirm she will not partake in any engagements leading up to the pivotal voting deadline of February 18.
Reacting to the alleged racism, the film's director, Jacques Audiard, expressed disappointment over Gascón's actions, labeling her past comments as “absolutely odious.” Audiard was quoted saying, “It’s difficult to recall the positive collaboration we had,” indicating his substantial dismay at the situation. He added, “She seems to be playing the victim,” criticizing her defensive posture rather than taking responsibility for the hurt her words have caused.
The fallout has not only impacted her current film but also her future literary endeavors. The Spanish publisher, Dos Bigotes, announced the suspension of her biographical novel, which was set to be released this year after being revised since its original publication. "Given the recent events, we have decided to halt the publication as we hold values committed to equality and inclusion,” the publisher stated.
Gascón’s absence from the Goya Awards on February 8 is intended to prevent the situation from overshadowing the ceremony, where 'Emilia Pérez' is nominated for Best European Film. Traditionally, the film's Spanish distributors would accept the award if her film succeeds.
Industry reactions also include voices like actress Nerea Garmendia, who reflected, "People evolve over time. We all have pasts, but what matters is what you stand for now." Meanwhile, Gascón took to social media to apologize for the pain caused by her tweets, asserting her desire to focus on her career and the larger picture she has aimed to project.
Despite her attempts to mitigate the damage, many remain skeptical. Critics have pointed out the inadequacy of her apology, noting it lacked acknowledgment of the specific communities affected by her words. Hagi remarked, “Her response is not a real apology. She has not recognized the harm she caused.”
This controversy has reignited debates surrounding the culture of 'canceling' public figures when their past actions do not align with current social values. The fallout from Gascón's tweets not only jeopardizes her own career but also has wider consequences for the film and its promotion.
Now, as Gascón navigates this turbulent moment, the outcome remains uncertain. Once riding high on the wave of historic nomination and prominence within the film industry, she now faces the repercussions of her past statements. The responses she receives from her peers and the industry will likely dictate how her career moves forward.
Only time will tell if Gascón can recover from this setback or if her past will overshadow her future prospects.