Karla Sofia Gascón, a groundbreaking actress nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her role in the musical drama Emilia Pérez, found herself embroiled in controversy when past social media posts resurfaced, casting a shadow over her burgeoning career. The posts, dating back to between 2016 and 2020, contained derogatory comments targeting Muslims in her native Spain and even the late George Floyd. The unearthed content sparked widespread backlash and led to Gascón deleting her X (formerly Twitter) account. The controversy also extended to Emilia Pérez itself, with the film facing criticism for its portrayal of Mexico and its dialogue, and notably being excluded from the GLAAD Media Awards nominations due to concerns about its representation of transgender individuals.
Gascón issued a heartfelt apology on Instagram, expressing remorse for the pain her past words caused. She acknowledged the impact of her actions, particularly on those who looked up to her as a representative of marginalized communities. Gascón underscored her commitment to learning and growth, emphasizing that she is not the same person she was a decade or two prior. While admitting her past imperfections, she asserted her commitment to striving to be a better person each day. Gascón also highlighted the irony of being accused of racism while being in a loving relationship with a Muslim individual. She reiterated her life-long dedication to fighting for a just society, emphasizing her support for peace, freedom, and love, and her opposition to war, religious extremism, and oppression.
The actress expressed her belief that her detractors had achieved their goal of tarnishing her reputation. She claimed that some posts attributed to her were fabricated, including insults directed at her colleagues. Gascón argued that genuine attempts at praise were twisted into criticisms, jokes were misconstrued as serious statements, and words were taken out of context to paint a picture of hate. She attributed the attacks to a deliberate effort to sabotage her awards prospects. Despite the negativity, Gascón found solace in her mother’s unwavering support, focusing on her mother’s desire for her well-being above any accolades. She reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform to spread a message of hope and love, a mission she felt driven to fulfill.
The controversy swirling around Gascón extends beyond her personal social media history to encompass the film itself. Emilia Pérez, which tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader who transitions genders, faced criticism from various quarters, including Spanish-speaking audiences who found fault with the film’s dialogue and representation of Mexico. Furthermore, the film was conspicuously absent from the GLAAD Media Awards nominations, with the LGBTQ+ organization deeming the film a step back for transgender representation. This omission further complicated the situation, underscoring the sensitive and nuanced nature of representation in media.
Prior to her Instagram statement, Gascón had already issued an apology via Netflix, expressing remorse for the pain she inflicted, especially on fellow members of marginalized communities. She reiterated her life-long commitment to fighting for a better world, expressing faith in the eventual triumph of good over evil. This initial apology, however, did not quell the controversy, leading to her more extensive and emotional Instagram post.
Adding another layer to the unfolding narrative, Gascón’s Emilia Pérez co-star, Zoe Saldaña, addressed the controversy during a Q&A session in London. Saldaña spoke of her personal experience working on the film, emphasizing the inclusive and collaborative environment she witnessed. She expressed sadness at the controversy, highlighting the values of inclusivity, collaboration, and racial, cultural, and gender equity that she believed were central to the film’s production. Saldaña’s comments offered a contrasting perspective on the controversy, emphasizing the positive aspects of the film’s creation and the intentions of those involved.
