In a shocking development, offensive tweets from the lead actress of the Oscar-nominated movie Emilia Pérez have caused a major stir and disrupted the film’s awards campaign. The tweets, posted by best actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón between 2019 and 2024, have faced widespread criticism since surfacing last week.
Gascón has issued multiple apologies, stating she is “deeply sorry for any hurt caused” and clarifying that she is not racist, claiming that her remarks were often taken out of context. As a result, Hollywood has distanced itself from her posts, and Netflix appears to be shifting its focus to other nominees for the film.
In her recent Instagram statement (her account is currently deactivated), Gascón described her emotional turmoil over the past week, expressing disbelief at suddenly being vilified after months of spreading a message of hope.
The controversial tweets touched upon sensitive topics such as Islam, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars. While Netflix has not publicly addressed the issue, it has been noticeably moving away from Gascón’s comments.
As a consequence of the backlash, the campaign surrounding Gascón has undergone significant alterations. Advertising efforts during awards season, known as For Your Consideration (FYC) ads, typically target awards voters. Netflix’s updated promotional material has downplayed Gascón’s role, placing greater emphasis on her co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez to avoid overshadowing the film and their contributions.
Despite Gascón’s attempts to address the controversy through social media statements and an emotional interview with CNN en Español, it has been revealed that she arranged the interview independently of the film’s PR team, which has raised concerns within Netflix. Events that Gascón was scheduled to attend have been cast into doubt as her involvement continues to shift amid the unfolding scandal.
The actress is currently not anticipated to make appearances at any upcoming events, as the ongoing turmoil persists. Additionally, as reported by Variety, Netflix and the film’s PR team have ceased direct communication with Gascón and are now only engaging with an agent. The publication also mentioned that the streamer is no longer covering expenses for her travel to awards shows or styling for appearances at these events. Whether Gascón will attend the Oscars on March 2 remains uncertain.
Many film enthusiasts, including ourselves, have admired the “Fab Five” format seen at recent Oscars, where five previous winners of a category present the latest winner with the same prize. However, this year, the Academy has decided to forgo this format in the acting categories, meaning no actresses will be praising Gascón’s performance on stage.
Emilia Pérez, a lively Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord undergoing a gender transformation, received 13 Oscar nominations. Despite facing stiff competition in various categories, it was considered a frontrunner for best original song and best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña. The decision to move away from the fab five format was made weeks prior to the recent controversy and will instead be utilized in different categories, such as best director.
Following the emergence of the tweets, Saldaña expressed her disappointment and emphasized inclusivity and collaboration on set. At the London Critics Circle Awards, she urged the audience to embrace a broader concept of redemption. Oscar voters and industry observers are eager to see if Saldaña can maintain her projected win at upcoming events like the Bafta Film Awards and SAG Awards.
Meanwhile, director Jacque Audiard disclosed to Deadline that he has refrained from contacting Gascón, believing she needs space to reflect and take responsibility for her actions. He expressed sadness over the situation, reflecting on the positive working environment he shared with Karla Sofía.
In a shocking turn of events, the foundation of trust in a close relationship was shattered by hurtful words spoken by Karla Sofía. The impact of her words, described as “absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated,” has left a deep scar on the bond that once existed between the parties involved. The revelation of such malign sentiments has plunged their connection into an abyss, leading to a sense of betrayal and bewilderment.
The repercussions of Karla Sofía’s remarks are far-reaching, extending beyond the immediate fallout within the relationship. Emilia Pérez, embroiled in the controversy, now faces a precarious position in the race for a best picture win. The controversy has cast a shadow over the film’s prospects, especially in a fiercely competitive year where no clear frontrunner has emerged in the best picture category.
The aftermath of this betrayal of trust underscores the fragile nature of interpersonal relationships and the devastating impact of hurtful words. As the fallout continues to unfold, both personally and professionally, the parties involved are left to grapple with the profound implications of this rupture in trust.
