Karla Sofía Gascón, the Oscar-nominated transgender actor and star of the critically acclaimed movie Emilia Pérez, has issued a public apology for resurfaced social media posts that have sparked widespread criticism.
The posts, dating back to as early as 2016, included disparaging remarks about Islam, its culture, and practices, as well as comments labeling George Floyd, the Black man whose death in 2020 ignited global protests against racism and police brutality, as “a drug addict and a hustler.”
In a statement shared through Netflix, which is streaming Emilia Pérez, Gascón expressed regret and acknowledged the pain caused by her words. “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.”
The controversy emerges as Gascón makes history as the first transgender performer to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category. Her role in Emilia Pérez, which tells the story of a cartel kingpin transitioning into a new life as Emilia Pérez, has earned widespread acclaim. The film is the most nominated heading into next month’s Oscars, raising concerns that the backlash could overshadow its awards season momentum.
The old posts, which circulated widely this week, also included calls to ban Islam and mocked cultural expressions associated with the faith. Gascón’s comments about George Floyd were made less than a month after his death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, with her stating that Floyd was someone “very few people ever cared” about.
The controversy has drawn comparisons to past instances where celebrities faced backlash for resurfaced comments, such as James Gunn, Trevor Noah, and Blake Shelton. While their careers eventually recovered, the stakes are particularly high for Gascón as she navigates the spotlight of awards season.
Before transitioning in 2018, Gascón was a regular in Mexican telenovelas. In Emilia Pérez, she portrays a cartel kingpin who fakes his death to transition into a new identity as Emilia Pérez. Years later, Emilia seeks the help of her lawyer, played by Zoe Saldaña, to reunite with her wife (Selena Gomez) and their children.
Netflix has not commented further on the controversy but is expected to continue supporting the film’s Oscar campaign despite the backlash. As the awards season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Emilia Pérez can maintain its momentum amid the unfolding debate.