- Karla Sofia Gascon is the star of Emilia Perez, which is up for 13 Academy Awards on Sunday, including Best Picture.
- Gascon is nominated for Best Actress, but has come under fire for social-media posts regarding Islam and Black Lives Matter.
- She hasn’t attended many of the pre-Oscar awards shows, but Gascon will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, and Netflix will pay her expenses.
Emilia Perez is one of the darlings of film-award season. It has earned many accolades, and is nominated for 13 Oscars on Sunday, the most of any movie.
However, its star, Karla Sofia Gascon, has been absent through much of the award season, due to controversy over old social-media posts. Gascon, who is up for Best Actress, will attend the Academy Awards on Sunday, and Netflix will pay her expenses.
Gascon Details Still Being Finalized for Sunday, Including Red Carpet and Sitting Arrangements
It was reported on Monday that Gascon will, in fact, be at the Oscars.
This is a big deal as it was revealed on January 30 that Gascon’s X account (which has since been deleted) included tweets regarding Islamophobia, George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, and the 2021 Oscars show. Gascon made a statement on the matter:
“I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
There are still details to be finalized, according to Variety. Gascon claimed that she wouldn’t make any statements on the matter after doing an interview with CNN en Español on February 1. But there is no word on whether she’ll walk the red carpet, where she would surely be asked about it.
Her co-stars, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, have also commented on the issue. Saldana said that “we are responsible for everything we say” in regard to Gascon. Gomez claimed that “some of the magic has disappeared” from the movie due to the controversy, although she also stated she would do it again. Director Jacques Audiard went so far as to say he hasn’t spoken to Gascon, and that “she’s harming people”. The seating arrangements on Sunday will be very fascinating, considering the feelings of Gascon’s colleagues.
Has Gascon’s Comments Hurt Emilia Perez?
Emilia Perez is nominated for the most Oscars this year, with 13. Saldana will be a popular option in Oscars pick’em contests this weekend, as she’s swept the Best Supporting Actress awards throughout the season. The movie itself is a Best Picture longshot, according to the 2025 Oscars odds, as is Audiard for Best Director. It’s difficult to assess how much Gascon’s comments have hurt the film.
The only thing we know for sure is that they certainly haven’t helped. Gascon is a major longshot for Best Actress, and there were high hopes for Gascon after winning Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, along with Saldana, Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Now, she might not even be sitting with them at the Oscars. Gascon is the first openly trans actor or actress to be nominated for an Academy Award, but now history will look at her for other reasons.
All eyes will be on Gascon on Sunday, for better or worse.
