Karla Sofia Gascón, known for her role in Emilia Pérez, is reportedly set to attend the Oscars ceremony on March 2, with streaming giant Netflix agreeing to cover her travel and accommodation expenses.
Gascón starred alongside Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez in Jacques Audiard’s film and received widespread acclaim for her performance. However, controversy surrounded the actor when old tweets resurfaced, sparking backlash over alleged Islamophobic and racist remarks. Amid the uproar, speculation arose that Gascón, who is nominated in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category, might skip the prestigious event due to Netflix’s initial reluctance to sponsor her trip. However, it has now been confirmed that she will be present at the ceremony.
According to Variety, Karla Sofia Gascón is set to attend the Oscars; however, it remains unclear whether she will walk the red carpet or participate in media interviews.
The controversy surrounding Gascón stems from resurfaced posts on her X (formerly Twitter) account, dating back as far as 2016. These posts included critical remarks about Muslim dress, language, and culture in Spain, as well as a statement suggesting that Islam should be banned. The resurfaced comments have sparked significant backlash online.
Reports suggest that Netflix initially distanced itself from Karla Sofia Gascón, the lead actor of its Oscar-nominated film Emilia Pérez, following the controversy surrounding her past social media posts.
Also read: Ranveer Allahbadia questioned for 5 hours by Maharashtra Cyber Cell in India's Got Latent case
As per Variety, Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender performer to receive a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards, has been excluded from the latest For Your Consideration campaign. This promotional campaign, typically aimed at boosting nominees' visibility during awards season, no longer features Gascón, indicating a shift in Netflix’s approach amid the ongoing backlash.
Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez, the film in which Gascón plays the lead role, has received an impressive 13 nominations at the Academy Awards. The film tells the gripping story of a feared cartel kingpin who fakes his own death and transitions into a woman, Emilia Pérez. Years later, she reaches out to the lawyer who once helped her (played by Zoe Saldana) in a bid to reunite with her wife (Selena Gomez) and their children, setting the stage for a powerful narrative of identity and redemption.
(With inputs from PTI)
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
