Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña co-star in ‘Emilia Perez’
Image: supplied
Netflix has distanced itself from ‘’Emilia Pérez’’ star Karla Sofía Gascón amid growing backlash over past social media posts, which have resurfaced and are seen as Islamophobic and racist.
Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender actress nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, is now navigating the controversy without support from the streaming giant or her PR team.
The Spanish actress was expected to attend key pre-Oscar events, such as the AFI Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards but will no longer be making the trip to Los Angeles.
Netflix’s Oscar campaign, which includes 13 nominations for ‘’Emilia Pérez’’, is now facing fallout from the controversy. Gascón's PR firm, The Lede Company, has cut direct communication with her, and all interactions are being handled by her agent, Jeremy Barber. Notably, Netflix will no longer cover her travel or styling expenses, leaving Gascón to fund these costs herself if she attends any upcoming events.
In response to the controversy, Gascón issued a public apology and gave further clarification in an interview with CNN and Español. Despite this, many remain unsatisfied.
On Instagram, she questioned the public's reaction, tagging several media outlets and decrying the "cancel culture" she was facing. Some Oscar voters have expressed mixed reactions, with some initially sympathetic but now distancing themselves, while others claim they will judge the film on its merits.
The controversy has sparked concern that it may affect the film’s chances. Some voters have said the scandal has “left a bad taste” and raised concerns about Gascón’s chances at the Oscars. Others worry her presence at the ceremony could overshadow the event, particularly as the Academy has decided to exclude acting categories from the planned "Fab 5" moments this year.
With only weeks until voting concludes, ‘’Emilia Pérez"’ path to the Oscars remains uncertain. As the situation continues to unfold, Netflix and Gascón’s team have remained tight-lipped, making it clear that the road ahead is far more complicated than initially expected.