Offensive historic tweets from Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of the Oscar-nominated film Emilia Pérez, have caused significant fallout, leaving the film’s awards campaign in disarray.
The tweets, which were published between 2019 and 2024, have sparked widespread condemnation, and the best actress nominee has faced backlash over comments made about Islam, George Floyd, and the Oscars’ diversity.
Gascón has since issued multiple statements apologizing for her past comments, expressing regret for the pain caused.
She insists that she is not racist and that some of her remarks were taken out of context.
Despite her apologies, Hollywood has distanced itself from her posts, and Netflix has shifted its campaign focus to the film’s other nominees.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Gascón said she had been on an “emotional rollercoaster” over the past week.
She also expressed frustration over being vilified after having spent months promoting a message of hope. Gascón has since deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account.
As the controversy unfolded, Netflix took steps to minimize Gascón’s visibility in its awards campaign.
Previously a prominent figure in For Your Consideration (FYC) advertisements, Gascón’s image was largely removed from updated promotional materials, with co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez taking center stage.
The shift in focus signals Netflix’s attempt to prevent the controversy from overshadowing the film or the performances of its other cast members.
Reports indicate that Gascón also gave an emotional, unsanctioned interview with CNN en Español, which was reportedly conducted without the involvement of the film’s PR team or Netflix.
This move has further strained her relationship with the film’s public relations team, who have since stopped communicating directly with her. Instead, all communication is now handled through an agent.
Additionally, Gascón has been removed from upcoming events, including the AFI Awards luncheon, Critics Choice Awards, and several others.
She is no longer expected to attend, and Netflix has ceased covering her expenses for travel and styling.
There is uncertainty over whether Gascón will attend the Oscars on March 2, 2025.
While some of Gascón’s co-stars, such as Saldaña, have expressed dismay over the situation, Saldaña has also publicly condemned Gascón’s past remarks, emphasizing her own commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.
Saldaña’s expected win for Best Supporting Actress remains under scrutiny, with many wondering how the controversy will affect her chances.
Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord who changes gender, had been a strong contender in multiple Oscar categories, including Best Picture and Best Original Song.
However, the scandal surrounding Gascón’s past tweets has significantly impacted the film’s chances of securing a Best Picture win, especially in a competitive year with no clear frontrunner.
Director Jacque Audiard expressed his disappointment in Gascón’s actions, stating that he has avoided contacting her due to the need for her to reflect and take accountability for her behavior.
He emphasized that the situation had negatively impacted the positive atmosphere that had once existed on set.
As Emilia Pérez continues to face controversy, it remains to be seen whether the fallout will significantly harm the film’s remaining chances for success during the upcoming awards season.
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