- Monday, March 10, 2025
The Spanish actor, who is the first transgender woman nominated for best actress, said she hoped her decision would allow the film to be judged on its own merits
By: India Weekly
KARLA SOFIA GASCON announced Friday (7) that she would step back from the Oscar campaign for “Emilia Perez” following the resurfacing of past social media posts that have drawn widespread criticism.
The Spanish actor, who is the first transgender woman nominated for best actress, said she hoped her decision would allow the film to be judged on its own merits.
Gascon, 52, plays a Mexican cartel boss in the musical crime thriller, which has earned a record number of nominations for a foreign-language film.
Last week, old social media posts from Gascon that denigrated Islam and African American George Floyd surfaced, leading to backlash.
Director Jacques Audiard, who helmed the film, called the posts “inexcusable” and “absolutely hateful.”
“I decided, for the film, for Jacques, for the cast, for the incredible crew who deserves it, for the beautiful adventure we all had together, to let the work talk for itself,” Gascon wrote on Instagram.
Gascon’s decision comes after reports that Netflix, which had been promoting the film for its first best picture Oscar, had distanced itself from her and removed her from its awards campaign.
“Emilia Perez,” which was filmed in France and set in Mexico, has received 13 Oscar nominations, 11 BAFTA nods, and 12 Cesar nominations in France. It won multiple awards at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and secured four Golden Globe wins in January, including best comedy or musical.
Before the controversy, Gascon had been considered a frontrunner for best actress at the Oscars. The scandal has impacted both her reputation and the film’s momentum in the awards race.
