With the Oscar race heating up, the spotlight on Emilia Pérez has shifted dramatically from its historic acclaim to the controversy surrounding lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón. The film, celebrated for securing 13 Academy Award nominations and becoming the most-nominated non-English language film of all time, is now grappling with the fallout from Gascón's past social media conduct.
The uproar began when offensive tweets attributed to Gascón were unearthed, detailing negative remarks about Islam, comments labeling George Floyd derogatorily, and critiques on diversity at the Oscars. This sudden resurfacing of her tweets, primarily from between 2019 and 2024, has drawn widespread condemnation and led to significant industry ramifications.
Renowned French director Jacques Audiard, who helmed Emilia Pérez and is also nominated for Best Director, expressed his deep disappointment over Gascón's behavior. "It’s very hard for me to think back to the work I did with Karla Sofía. The trust we shared, the exceptional atmosphere... when you have… [that] relationship and suddenly you read something… things… hateful… worthy of being hated, of course, the relationship is affected," Audiard stated, indicating the serious strain the controversy has put on their professional relationship. The director, who has opted not to reach out to Gascón post-scandal, emphasized her need for reflection and accountability.
Co-star Zoe Saldaña, who made history alongside Gascón as they shared the Best Actress prize at Cannes, also voiced her dismay over the situation. "I’m sad… I can’t speak for other people’s actions. All I can attest to is my experience… never… did I ever believe we would be here," said Saldaña, hinting at the shock and disappointment shared among the cast and crew. Saldaña underscored the film’s original intent of inclusivity and love, contrasting sharply with Gascón’s now-controversial remarks.
Gascón, who initially apologized through her social media, has since shifted to defend her actions vehemently. "I have always been transparent… I feel I am being silenced..." she expressed, evoking themes of identity and the search for validation, as the fallout continues to intensify. Her powerful statement, laden with emotion, has done little to quell the backlash.
Meanwhile, Netflix, the film's distributor, has been recalibrated its promotional efforts. Sources indicate the streaming giant is communicating with Gascón solely through her agent now, all signs pointing to efforts to mitigate the fallout. This includes altering promotional materials to highlight co-stars, particularly focusing on Saldaña, instead of Gascón. The changes are widely seen as strategies to refocus viewers' attention away from the controversies attached to Gascón.
Despite the tumult, the film still retains momentum, as many awards season activities loom. The Academy Awards, set for March 2, will see Gascón nominated for Best Actress. The significant question remains whether she will take the stage amid the brewing controversy. Her absence from major industry events leading up to the Oscars—and reports indicating she may even miss the awards altogether—reinforces the unpredictable nature of her future and the awards race as it currently stands.
Critics have noted the broader impact of such controversies on awards season campaigns. The Emilia Pérez awards campaign serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly public sentiment can shift due to social media revelations, posing challenges for film studios and artists alike. Gascón's experiences raise questions about accountability and the effects of past statements on present opportunities within Hollywood.
Even with the challenges, Saldaña remains hopeful for the film's legacy, asserting her pride for the work they created together. She elaborated on the film’s potential long-term impact, stating, "I will always be a hopeful person… we set our hearts on… telling stories… sometimes provocative but still bring up necessary conversations.”
Both Audiard and Saldaña express their commitment to supporting each other and the rest of the cast and crew during this challenging time. They focus on championing the film’s message and their collective dedication to cinematic storytelling amid adversity.
Looking forward, as Oscar night approaches, the endgame for Emilia Pérez and Gascón has yet to be determined. How the Academy and the public respond to this controversy might set precedents for the future of Hollywood awards campaigns. The coming weeks will certainly define not only the prestige of Emilia Pérez but also the future roles of its talented cast.