The film "Emilia Pérez" faces a storm of controversy as past racist and Islamophobic social media posts by actress Karla Sofía Gascón have resurfaced, going viral on January 30. Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly transgender individual to be nominated for an acting Oscar, finds herself at the center of heated discussions just as the film receives recognition. Gascón's controversial posts threaten to overshadow the movie's achievements and the Oscar nominations for both her and co-star Zoe Saldaña.
Zoe Saldaña, who worked closely with Gascón on "Emilia Pérez," has expressed her sadness and disappointment over the controversy. She acknowledged the conversation surrounding Gascón's past posts but clarified that the person she collaborated with on the film was not reflected in those statements. Saldaña remarked that she is still processing the situation.
"You may believe that it's just a statement I came up with alongside my team, but at the end of the day, when I can't speak on behalf of anyone else, I can only speak on behalf of myself and what I witnessed," said Zoe Saldaña.
The film's director, Jacques Audiard, disavowed Gascón's past behavior, describing her approach as "self-destructive." This sentiment underscores the complexity of reconciling professional relationships with personal actions. Despite the controversy, Entertainment Weekly predicts Saldaña will win the Best Supporting Actress category at the Oscars.
Gascón has apologized for her past posts, acknowledging their hurtful nature. She expressed regret and a desire for understanding, highlighting her own experiences within a marginalized community.
"As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness," stated Gascón.
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive as the Oscars approach. The negative attention surrounding Gascón's past comments has intensified, casting a shadow over the film's accolades. Saldaña, whose role in "Emilia Pérez" marks her first Oscar nomination, has reflected on the broader implications of such controversies.
"And that needs to be enough for now. I'm still processing. I certainly think that this is a learning experience. Everything in life is a learning experience for all of us. And the point of uncomfortable events is for the sake of evolution. So I hope that we continue moving in the right direction," she added.
For Saldaña, this situation also serves as a moment of introspection and growth. The actress remains hopeful that this experience will facilitate positive change and understanding.
Gascón herself has found it challenging to reconcile her past actions with her professional commitments.
"It's very hard for me to think back to the work I did with Karla Sofía," she admitted.
"The trust we shared, the exceptional atmosphere that we had on the set that was indeed based on trust. And when you have that kind of relationship and suddenly you read something that that person has said, things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated, of course that relationship is affected. It’s as if you fall into a hole. Because what Karla Sofía said is inexcusable," she further explained.
