Karla Sofía Gascón, the groundbreaking Oscar nominee from the film Emilia Pérez, has been at the heart of an award season controversy due to past offensive tweets. Despite facing backlash, the 52-year-old star is gearing up to attend the prestigious Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday. A source close to Gascón revealed to PEOPLE on February 24 that she is planning to be present at the event on March 2, after having skipped several major award shows in recent times.
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Variety also reported that Gascón is anticipated to be at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles for the Oscars. However, details remain unclear regarding whether she will walk the red carpet or join her fellow cast members like Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. Neither Gascón’s representatives nor Netflix, the film’s distributor, responded to requests for comments from PEOPLE regarding her attendance at the event.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gascón shared her mixed feelings about the situation, expressing gratitude for the support she’s received. She acknowledged Netflix, the production company, and her colleagues for their belief in her, as she reflected on the challenging journey that began three years ago. When this year’s Oscar nominations were announced in January, Emilia Pérez led the pack with the most nominations, with Gascón making history as the first openly transgender star to be nominated for Best Actress.
However, controversy arose later that month when Gascón’s old tweets resurfaced, containing offensive remarks about various topics such as Muslim culture, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars. Despite deleting her X account, the backlash was swift, with her co-star Saldaña expressing disappointment in the negative rhetoric directed towards any group of people. French director Jacques Audiard, also linked to Emilia Pérez, condemned Gascón’s tweets as “absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated,” deeming them “inexcusable.”
In response, Gascón defended herself in a tearful CNN interview, asserting her innocence and emphasising that she had not committed any crime or harmed anyone. She vehemently denied the accusations of racism and other negative portrayals circulating about her. Subsequently, she made a commitment to maintain silence for the rest of the award season to allow the focus to return to the film’s message of love and acceptance. Gascón also extended a sincere apology to those who had been hurt by the situation.
Gascón’s presence at the Golden Globes earlier in January marked a high point before the controversy erupted. Since then, she has chosen to skip other award shows such as the Critics Choice Awards, the EE BAFTA Film Awards, and the SAG Awards. The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, is scheduled to be broadcast live on March 2 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu. As Gascón prepares to step onto the Oscars stage, the industry and fans alike await the unfolding of this significant moment against the backdrop of the prevailing controversies.
The Academy Awards have always been a platform for celebrating excellence in film, but this year, the spotlight is also on the challenges and controversies faced by nominees like Karla Sofía Gascón. As the ceremony draws near, the anticipation and speculation surrounding Gascón’s appearance and reception at the event continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025 Oscars approach, promising a mix of glamour, recognition, and perhaps a touch of redemption on Hollywood’s biggest night.