Karla Sofía Gascón, star of Emilia Pérez, made her debut as an Oscar nominee at the 2025 Academy Awards but seemed to avoid the spotlight after controversy surrounding offensive, resurfaced tweets. Gascón, the first openly trans woman to be nominated for Best Actress, skipped the red carpet, opting for a low profile ahead of the ceremony.
The actress, who earned a nomination for her role as the titular character in Emilia Pérez, did not appear at the previous major award shows, including the SAG Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and the AFI Awards luncheon in early February. The absence fueled speculation about her status amidst the controversy.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Netflix, the studio behind Emilia Pérez, covered Gascón’s travel costs to the ceremony, as is customary for studios supporting their Oscar nominees.
Gascón Reflects on Her Journey
Despite the absence from the red carpet, Gascón did make an appearance inside the Dolby Theatre. When it was confirmed that she would attend the Oscars, the actress told THR exclusively, “I’m not sure how I feel, but I’m grateful to be back. I’m grateful to all those who’ve believed in me—Netflix, the production company, and my colleagues. We can close this beautiful and difficult path that began three years ago.”
Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez spotted inside the #Oscars 2025 pic.twitter.com/NvjR2dYKAf
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 2, 2025
Gascón was spotted near her Emilia Pérez co-star, Selena Gomez, inside the theater. Although she didn’t engage with the press, Gascón was acknowledged during the show. Host Conan O’Brien made a lighthearted comment during his opening monologue, referencing the controversy.
“I love Anora—Anora uses the f-word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist,” O’Brien joked, adding, “Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight. Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, remember: My name is Jimmy Kimmel.”
While the remark was playful, it underscored the ongoing attention surrounding Gascón, even as she remained distant from direct interactions with the media.
César Awards Appearance and Public Reaction
Before the Oscars, Gascón made her first red carpet appearance since the controversy at the César Awards in France. However, she notably did not speak to the press during her time there. The actress, who has been a standout during awards season, had previously received numerous nominations and praise for her performance in Emilia Pérez, a film that leads this year’s Oscar race with 13 nominations.
Yet, Gascón’s path to the Oscars became complicated after old tweets resurfaced, which included racially charged remarks that many considered antisemitic and xenophobic. The tweets quickly sparked outrage, and Gascón was widely criticized for her past behavior.
In response, Gascón publicly apologized for the offensive comments and sat down for an hour-long interview with CNN en Español, where she defended herself. However, the actress eventually decided to step back from the film’s Oscar campaign, expressing her desire not to be a distraction. She stated that she wanted the film to be recognized for its merit, calling it a “beautiful ode to love and difference.”
The controversy surrounding Gascón has dominated the conversation surrounding Emilia Pérez, but the film’s director, Jacques Audiard, along with her co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, have each addressed the issue in separate statements.
Director and Co-Stars Speak Out
Audiard, in an interview with Deadline Hollywood, expressed his frustration with Gascón’s actions, saying, “I haven’t spoken to her, and I don’t want to.” He added, “She is in a self-destructive approach that I can’t interfere in, and I really don’t understand why she’s continuing. Why is she harming herself? Why? I don’t understand it, and what I don’t understand about this, too, is why she’s harming people who were very close to her.”
Saldaña also weighed in, expressing sadness over the controversy. “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group,” Saldaña said. “I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film, and my experience and my interactions with them was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me.”
Gomez, who stars alongside Gascón in Emilia Pérez, shared a more nuanced perspective. She said that following the scandal, “Some of the magic has disappeared,” but added, “I want to continue to be proud of what I’ve done” and emphasized that she remains “grateful and live with no regrets.”
Emilia Pérez Leads the Nominations
As the night of the Oscars unfolded, Emilia Pérez dominated the nominations with 13 nods, setting a new record for a non-English-language film. While Gascón’s nomination brought attention to her acting talent, it was clear that the controversy had overshadowed much of the film’s success.
Despite the challenges, Emilia Pérez was still in the spotlight, with the film’s director and cast hoping that the work itself would be the focus on what was otherwise a historic night for the Academy Awards.
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, aired live coast-to-coast on Sunday, March 2, from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on ABC and Hulu.The road ahead for Gascón remains uncertain as the controversy continues to cast a shadow over her Oscar campaign. While the actress has stepped back from the campaign to allow the focus to return to the film, it’s clear that the conversation surrounding her will continue to be part of the larger narrative of the 2025 Oscars. As Emilia Pérez garners attention for its achievements, Gascón’s future in Hollywood remains to be seen.
