
Oscar campaign by Emilia Pérez ousts Karla Sofía Gascón
In response to the recent controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón, Netflix is actively restructuring the Oscar campaign for the film Emilia Pérez to distance itself from the actress involved in the scandal. This strategic pivot reflects the streaming giant’s efforts to maintain its reputation and ensure the success of the film during the awards season.

The film Emilia Pérez has garnered significant attention, receiving an impressive total of 13 Oscar nominations, marking it as one of the standout films of the year. Among these nominations, Karla Sofía Gascón achieved a groundbreaking milestone by being recognized as the first openly transgender performer to receive a Best Actress nomination. However, following the surfacing of controversial social media posts deemed racist and Islamophobic, Netflix’s decision to sever ties with Gascón and reposition her role in the Oscar campaign signifies a proactive measure to mitigate potential backlash.
Initially, Gascón was scheduled to participate in several high-profile awards events in the upcoming weeks, including the AFI Awards luncheon, The Critics Choice Awards, The Directors Guild of America Awards, The Producers Guild of America Awards, and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. However, according to sources from THR, it appears that her attendance is now unlikely. Should she choose to attend any of these events, Netflix will not cover her travel or styling expenses, indicating a withdrawal of support from the streaming platform amidst the ongoing controversy.
With millions of dollars invested in the Emilia Pérez Oscar campaign, tensions between Netflix and Gascón have reportedly escalated. They have ceased direct communication, opting instead to convey messages through Gascón’s agent, highlighting the severity of the situation. This shift in relationships suggests that both parties are navigating a complex landscape influenced by public perception and the implications of the controversy on the film’s success.
In the wake of the controversy, Gascón issued a public apology and arranged an interview with CNN en Español to clarify her side of the story, all conducted without Netflix’s involvement. In a subsequent heartfelt social media post, she expressed feelings of being targeted, stating that they wanted to “cancel me” and posed the troubling question, “How can I move forward?“ These statements reflect her distress and the broader implications of the fallout from her actions.
As the Oscar campaign for Emilia Pérez pivots towards other talent, including Zoe Saldaña, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, the absence of Gascón remains palpable given her role as the titular character. While some Oscar voters maintain their support for the film despite the surrounding controversy, others believe the incident may have already caused significant harm to its perception. One voter remarked, “I think it’s going to have a huge effect. It left a bad taste in people’s mouths.” Another expressed concern about rewarding individuals with controversial views, stating, “I was going to vote for her because I really did think she was extraordinary, but how could I now?” This sentiment underscores the tension between artistic merit and personal accountability.
What are your thoughts on the current Oscar prospects for Emilia Pérez?
