Karla Sofía Gascón, amid controversy over past racist and Islamophobic posts, has opted for silence as the Oscars approach. Despite her film, *Emilia Pérez*, receiving numerous nominations, Netflix has distanced itself from her, requesting her absence from promotional events. Gascón expressed her desire for the film to take center stage, apologizing to those hurt by her past. With the Goya Awards approaching and a César nomination, her future in the awards circuit appears uncertain.
Karla Sofía Gascón has made a bold decision to remain silent amidst a storm of controversy. Late Thursday night, the 52-year-old Spanish actress took to Instagram to announce her vow of silence, just as the race for the 2025 Oscars heats up, with the ceremony slated for March 2 in Los Angeles.
This decision comes on the heels of a Canadian journalist uncovering disturbing racist and Islamophobic messages that Gascón posted on the X network between 2017 and 2020. These revelations have cast a shadow over her role in Emilia Pérez, a groundbreaking musical directed by Jacques Audiard, which has received 13 nominations including Best Picture and Best Director, marking a historic moment for transgender representation in cinema.
Letting the Work Shine
In a recent interview with Deadline, the 72-year-old filmmaker conveyed frustration over Gascón’s social media responses, suggesting that her reactions have been misguided. He stated, ‘I haven’t spoken to her, and I don’t want to. She is in a self-destructive process in which I cannot interfere, and I don’t understand why she insists.’ It seems the message has resonated with Gascón.
On Instagram, she expressed her desire to ‘let the work speak,’ emphasizing her commitment to the film, the cast, and the beautiful journey they shared. ‘I sincerely apologize to all those who have been hurt along the way’, she added, indicating her wish to shift the focus back to the film itself, which she describes as a ‘beautiful ode to love and difference.’
However, the situation is more complex than it appears. Reports have emerged that Netflix, the distributor of Emilia Pérez, has requested her absence from promotional events in Los Angeles and has removed her from marketing materials ahead of the Oscars. It was even suggested that if she wanted to attend the events, she would need to cover her own travel expenses.
Implications for Upcoming Awards
The question remains: will this exclusion continue through the Oscars? Variety has revealed that Gascón will not attend the Goya Awards in Granada, despite her film being nominated for Best European Film. A representative from the local distributor will accept the award if the film wins, further indicating a strategic distancing from Gascón.
As for the 50th César ceremony on February 28, where she is nominated for Best Actress alongside Zoe Saldaña, Gascón has distanced herself from her partner, asserting that ‘we are all responsible for what we say and do.’ Nevertheless, she remains ‘proud of the work done’ on Emilia Pérez.
These developments appear to align with Netflix’s efforts to safeguard the film’s chances at the Oscars, particularly as voting begins on February 11. Meanwhile, Jacques Audiard and Zoe Saldaña were spotted at the AFP gala in Beverly Hills, seemingly unfazed by the controversy surrounding Gascón. The industry now seems to agree that her chances for recognition are slim, but the film itself may still navigate the storm.