Oscar Nominee Karla Sofía Gascón Embroiled in Controversy Over Past Social Media Posts

Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar, is facing intense backlash following the resurfacing of her past controversial social media posts.

Historic Nomination and Current Controversy

Gascón's nomination for her role in the Netflix film "Emilia Pérez," directed by Jacques Audiard, was announced on January 23, marking a significant milestone in her career. However, her celebration was short-lived as old social media posts began to circulate, sparking widespread criticism.

Content of the Posts

The contentious posts, which have since been deleted, were shared on the social media platform X. In one post from October 19, 2024, Gascón criticized the 2021 Academy Awards ceremony, describing it as looking "like a ceremony for independent and protest films" and comparing it to an "Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration or the 8M" (a reference to International Women's Day). She also described the gala as "ugly, ugly."

Another post from 2020 drew particular ire for its perceived Islamophobia. Gascón wrote about noticing an increase in Muslim women in Spain, suggesting that "next year instead of English we'll have to teach Arabic." These comments have been labeled as vile and Islamophobic by many users.

Public Reaction and Clarifications

The backlash has been swift and severe, with many calling out Gascón's comments as racist and Islamophobic. The cast and crew of "Emilia Pérez," as well as Academy voters, are under scrutiny for their response to these revelations.

In an attempt to mitigate the damage, Gascón released a statement on January 28, clarifying comments she made in a video interview that appeared to accuse fellow Best Actress nominee Fernanda Torres and her team of sabotaging her. Gascón clarified that her remarks were actually about the general toxicity and hate speech she faces on social media, and she expressed her appreciation for Torres's support.

Impact on Her Career and Public Image

The controversy has cast a shadow over Gascón's historic Oscar nomination and the success of "Emilia Pérez," which led the nominations with 13 nods. Representatives for Gascón and Netflix have yet to comment on the matter.

As the Oscars approach, the spotlight on Gascón's past comments is likely to continue, raising questions about the impact on her career and the broader implications for diversity and inclusion in the film industry. For expats in Spain, this controversy highlights the complex and often fraught nature of public discourse on social media and its repercussions on personal and professional lives.