Karla Sofía Gascón’s Scandal Puts Emilia Pérez’s Oscar Hopes in Jeopardy
Just days ago, Emilia Pérez looked like Netflix’s best shot at its first-ever Best Picture Oscar. With 13 nominations—the most ever for a non-English-language film—and major wins at the European Film Awards and Golden Globes, the film was riding high. It had even secured a crucial SAG nomination, proving its appeal among the Academy’s largest voting branch. But as everything fell into place, scandal struck. Now, Emilia Pérez‘s Oscar dreams might be slipping away.
The film’s awards campaign focused on Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first openly trans actor nominated for an Oscar. Her powerful performance captivated Hollywood, and her presence at Q&A sessions had audiences cheering. But that goodwill quickly vanished when old social media posts surfaced, revealing blatantly Islamophobic and racist remarks. Since then, Gascón’s damage control efforts have only made things worse. Her apologies have been overshadowed by claims of a “conspiracy” against her and a reluctance to fully own up to her past comments.
Netflix has wasted no time distancing itself from the embattled star. According to reports, the studio was not involved in her controversial CNN interview, which only added fuel to the fire. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña, who co-stars in the film, subtly condemned Gascón’s remarks without mentioning her by name during a London event.
The backlash has sent shockwaves through Emilia Pérez‘s Oscar campaign. While the film was already a subject of online debate, especially for its portrayal of trans and Latino communities, industry insiders rallied behind its bold storytelling and performances. Director Jacques Audiard and the cast had spent months promoting the film, creating significant buzz. However, since Gascón became a major liability, the campaign is scrambling to find direction.
Historically, Oscar wins for smaller films have relied on emotional momentum. Parasite, CODA, and Everything Everywhere All at Once all won over Academy voters with their underdog narratives and heartfelt messaging. Emilia Pérez was well on its way to following in their footsteps. But now, the controversy surrounding its lead actress has derailed its feel-good story.
Netflix seems to be rewriting the film’s narrative, with recent For Your Consideration ads noticeably omitting Gascón. The film’s best chances for wins—Supporting Actress (Saldaña), Original Song, and International Feature—are now uncertain, as the entire Academy votes in every category.
Despite the scandal, Emilia Pérez isn’t entirely out of the race. The Oscars have seen plenty of unpredictable twists, and if the season remains as chaotic as it has been, the film might still have a fighting chance. For now, Netflix’s former golden ticket is looking more like a cautionary tale.
