Awards season is a time of celebration, media buzz, and strong campaigning. With Emilia Pérez at the Oscars 2025 securing a record-tying 13 nominations, it seemed poised for a historic run. The film’s bold narrative and Karla Sofía Gascón’s groundbreaking lead performance positioned it as a frontrunner. But as the ceremony nears, controversy threatens to overshadow its achievements. Gascón’s resurfaced social media posts have sparked backlash, putting the film’s once-promising Oscar campaign in jeopardy. Now, what was once a symbol of trans empowerment is battling a PR storm that could derail its journey to victory.
What Is The Karla Sofía Gascón Controversy?
Gascón’s journey to awards recognition was groundbreaking. As the first transgender performer to win Best Actress at Cannes, she dedicated her victory to the trans community and anticipated online backlash. Unfortunately, that backlash escalated when journalist Sarah Hagi unearthed past posts from Gascón’s X (formerly Twitter) account. The posts included inflammatory remarks about Muslims, a dismissive comment about George Floyd, and criticism of the 2021 Oscars’ diverse winners.
Netflix quickly issued an apology on her behalf, but the damage had been done. Instead of stepping back, Gascón deactivated her X account and released a defiant statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “The more you try to sink me, the stronger it will make me.” In a later tearful interview with CNN En Español, she claimed that an alleged attack on her Emilia Pérez co-star, Selena Gomez, was fabricated. However, her continued social media defense has kept the controversy in the spotlight, forcing industry insiders and Academy voters to rethink their stance.
Industry Reaction and Netflix’s Response
With the Oscar ceremony on March 2 approaching fast, Netflix is now in crisis management mode. Instead of centering its campaign around Gascón, the streaming giant is shifting focus to Zoe Saldaña, a strong contender for Best Supporting Actress.
Hollywood insiders believe Gascón’s controversy could severely impact Emilia Pérez‘s Oscar chances. Many liberal Academy voters, initially drawn to the film’s message of trans empowerment, now find themselves conflicted. The backlash has led some industry analysts to label Gascón “the Donald Trump of Oscar season” due to her divisive media presence.
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What This Means for the Oscars 2025
The Oscars are shaping up to be a battleground for independent and protest-driven films, including The Apprentice (on a young Donald Trump), Nickel Boys (institutional racism), and Conclave (Catholic corruption). In contrast, safer, controversy-free contenders like A Complete Unknown may now emerge as stronger bets for Best Picture.
With Emilia Pérez‘s campaign now overshadowed, the question remains: Can the film rise above the controversy, or will it be overshadowed by safer choices? Some believe its artistic merit could still prevail, but others argue that the scandal has irreparably damaged its Oscar prospects.
The Emilia Pérez saga is a cautionary tale of how quickly an awards campaign can unravel. What began as a groundbreaking moment for transgender representation has now become one of Oscar season’s biggest controversies. As Netflix pivots its strategy and Academy voters weigh their choices, only time will tell if Emilia Pérez will reclaim its standing—or be remembered as an Oscar campaign that fell apart under scrutiny.
