Karla Sofia Gascon the lead actress of Emilia Pérez faced significant backlash after her old social media posts resurfaced . These posts contained opinions considered offensive by many leading to widespread criticism and industry repercussions.
Director Jacques Audiard Expresses Disappointment and Distances Himself from Karla Sofia Gascon
Jacques Audiard director of Emilia Pérez publicly shared his disappointment with Karla Sofia Gascon's actions. In an interview Audiard stated his sadness about the situation and the impact it had on the film's reception. He mentioned the trust he had shared with Gascon during filming and how her social media activity affected that relationship. Audiard described Gascon's comments as inexcusable and hateful. He confirmed he had not spoken to her and did not intend to. Audiard expressed concern for the crew Zoe Saldaña Selena Gomez and himself feeling harmed by Gascon's behavior. He emphasized the need for Gascon to reflect and take responsibility for her statements. Audiard planned to continue promoting the film and supporting his crew and cast particularly Zoe Saldaña.
Zoe Saldaña Reacts to Co-star Karla Sofia Gascon's Controversial Social Media Activity
Zoe Saldaña co-star in Emilia Pérez also addressed the controversy surrounding Karla Sofia Gascon. Saldaña expressed sadness and disappointment regarding the situation. She stated she could not account for others' actions but voiced her surprise at the turn of events. Saldaña reiterated her stance against bigotry and racism. She emphasized her commitment to inclusivity and diverse storytelling hoping the film's message would endure despite the controversy. Saldaña acknowledged the difference between Gascon's on-set persona and her social media presence. She maintained pride in the film and the team's work while recognizing individual accountability for personal statements.
Netflix Takes Action and Removes Karla Sofia Gascon from Awards Campaign Efforts
Netflix the distributor of Emilia Pérez responded to the controversy by distancing itself from Karla Sofia Gascon. Reports indicated Netflix removed Gascon from campaign materials and stopped providing funds for her attendance at award events. Direct communication between Netflix and Gascon also ceased. This action signified Netflix's attempt to mitigate the negative impact of the controversy on the film's award prospects while continuing to support other nominees like Zoe Saldaña.
Karla Sofia Gascon's Apology and Public Perception of Her Statements
Karla Sofia Gascon issued an apology on social media after the posts resurfaced and caused outrage. She expressed regret to those who felt offended by her past expressions. Gascon claimed she was not the same person as in the past and was trying to improve. However this apology was perceived by some as insufficient. Audiard described her approach as playing the victim and not taking full accountability. The effectiveness of Gascon's apology in mitigating the controversy remained limited.
Impact of the Controversy on "Emilia Pérez" and its Oscar Campaign
The controversy surrounding Karla Sofia Gascon significantly impacted the awards campaign for Emilia Pérez. Despite receiving 13 Oscar nominations and initial positive reception the focus shifted to Gascon's social media posts. This overshadowed the film's artistic achievements and potentially harmed its chances during award season. Audiard acknowledged the shift in reactions from favorable to critical after the controversy emerged. He defended the film as an opera with stylistic elements not intended as a realistic depiction of Mexico or any social issues. He emphasized that the controversy was tiring but also indicated that debate sparked by the film could be a positive aspect of cinema.
Examples of Karla Sofia Gascon's Offensive Social Media Posts That Sparked Outrage
Karla Sofia Gascon's controversial posts from 2020 and 2021 included opinions on various topics. One post questioned the increasing Muslim population in Spain. Another post described Islam as disgusting and criticized the attire of Muslim women. Gascon also stated Islam did not comply with international rights and should be banned until it did. Regarding George Floyd Gascon described him as a drug addict and swindler suggesting his death served to highlight perceived racism and class divisions. In another post Gascon criticized the diversity at the 2021 Oscars calling it ugly and resembling a protest or festival rather than an award ceremony. She also made comments about the Chinese vaccine and COVID-19.
Background of the Controversy and Initial Misunderstandings Regarding Oscar Guidelines
Before the social media posts controversy Karla Sofia Gascon was involved in another minor issue. In an interview Gascon appeared to criticize the team of fellow best actress nominee Fernanda Torres for allegedly trying to undermine Emilia Pérez's success. This led to incorrect speculation about Gascon violating Oscar campaign guidelines. Gascon later clarified her statements expressing admiration for Fernanda Torres and explaining she was referring to toxic online hate speech not Torres or her team. This initial incident was separate from but preceded the larger social media posts controversy.
Zoe Saldaña Highlights Discrepancy Between On-Set Persona and Social Media Behavior of Gascon
Zoe Saldaña noted a difference between Karla Sofia Gascon's behavior during the filming of Emilia Pérez and her social media activity. Saldaña indicated that Gascon's actions online were surprising considering her on-set demeanor. This suggested a disconnect between Gascon's professional interactions and her personal online expressions adding complexity to the controversy.
Director Jacques Audiard Clarifies Remarks on Spanish Language and Film Production Choices
Jacques Audiard addressed a separate criticism regarding a comment attributed to him about the Spanish language. He was quoted saying Spanish was a language of modest developing countries and immigrants. Audiard clarified his statement explaining it was misinterpreted in translation. He stated his love for the Spanish language and his intention to make an international film using it. Audiard also defended the decision to film Emilia Pérez in France instead of Mexico citing financial benefits. He explained that filming in France provided significantly greater financial rebates which were crucial for the film's budget. This decision was purely financial not artistic or culturally motivated.
In conclusion the controversy surrounding Karla Sofia Gascon's social media posts created significant challenges for the film Emilia Pérez and its Oscar campaign. The director and co-star publicly distanced themselves Netflix took action to limit the damage and Gascon's apology was met with skepticism. The incident highlights the impact of social media activity on public figures and the potential consequences for their professional careers and associated projects.