The vibrant ascent of Karla Sofía Gascón, the first Spanish woman nominated for the Best Actress Oscar, is now marred by a controversy stemming from offensive tweets she posted years ago. Gascón, who received widespread acclaim for her role in the film Emilia Pérez, has become the center of intense scrutiny, particularly as she prepares for the upcoming Oscar ceremony on March 2. Her past comments, which many have labeled as racist and sexist, have drawn ferocious backlash, resulting in significant professional setbacks.
After gaining prominence thanks to her performance at the Cannes Festival and securing her Oscar nomination, Gascón has faced severe backlash following the resurfacing of controversial tweets made between 2019 and 2024. These tweets, which included remarks about Islam and comments on George Floyd, ignited outrage among the public and industry peers alike.
Karla Sofía Gascón has attempted to defuse the situation, expressing through her social media platforms her deep remorse for any pain she may have caused, stating, “I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. It’s ironic because I have been trying to send a message of hope for the last nine months; suddenly, three days ago, I became the worst person in the world.” Evidently, her reflections have fallen on deaf ears, as the cancellation culture continues to gain momentum, threatening her career and public image.
Notably, industry figures have also voiced their concerns over her statements. Ernest Urtasun, Spain's Minister of Culture, was reported saying, "The comments do not represent Spanish society." His condemnation highlights how Gascón's remarks are viewed as not only personal failures but as issues indicative of broader societal problems.
Efforts to distance Gascón from promotional activities for Emilia Pérez have escalated. Netflix, which distributes the film, has encoded her exclusion from significant events leading up to the Oscars. Reports indicate she has been left out of promotional merchandise and marketing campaigns, with her face replaced on materials by her co-stars, resulting from her contentious history on social media.
According to insider sources, the production team experienced growing tensions with Gascón following her public responses to the backlash. The Hollywood Reporter noted, “I’m thinking about how she is damaging others, the team and everyone who worked hard on this film,” stated director Jacques Audiard, indicating the extent of the fallout from her tweets.
Gascón's career has faced immediate repercussions beyond just promotional exclusion; her autobiographical novel, titled Karsia, which garnered much anticipation, has been shelved by publishing house Dos Bigotes. The company confirmed the cancellation of Gascón's book through communication made on February 3, citing their commitment to values of equality and inclusion as the rationale behind their decision.
The sentiment of disappointment among fans and supporters of Gascón is palpable, with many expressing their unhappiness and even pleading for the Academy Awards to rescind her nomination. Users on social media debated the morality of celebrating someone who has previously conveyed such views.
Karla presents herself as both victim and protagonist, continually attempting to navigate her circumstance. She has stated: “During the time, I felt lost in my transition, searching for approval from others,” hoping to clarify her intentions during her transformative phase. Yet, the iron grip of cancellation culture implies her past words have caused irrevocable damage, spanning beyond her own narrative.
Industry peers have lamented the affirmative actions they must adopt within this contentious climate. One prominent figure, Zoe Saldaña, expressed her grief over the matter.