Emilia Pérez was seemingly in a strong position to win several categories at the 2025 Oscars, but with star Karla Sofía Gascón now bringing unwanted attention toward the film due to controversial tweets, the film’s outlook for the rest of the awards season is uncertain. The official Oscars 2025 nominations confirmed what many had predicted: Emilia Pérez was a major contender and a favorite among Academy voters. The Netflix musical drama directed by Jacques Audiard had these expectations following the ravenous response to its Cannes debut in 2024. Yet, Emilia Pérez‘s 13 Oscar nominations still surprised many.

After the record number of nominations for a non-English film, the question for Emilia Pérez quickly turned to how many it could win. Although online discourse may not have agreed, Oscar voters indicated with the nominations that the film had a real chance of being the biggest winner at the 97th Academy Awards. Not only were Emilia Pérez‘s Best Picture chances looking better, but wins for Zoe Saldaña in Best Supporting Actress and other categories appeared locked. While some divisiveness has long existed around the film, there’s a new level of controversy due to star Karla Sofía Gascón.

Karla Sofía Gascón’s Controversy Explained

Old Racist & Offensive Tweets Have Resurfaced

The current Karla Sofía Gascón controversy started on January 30, 2025, when old tweets of hers resurfaced on Twitter (now known as X). Journalist Sarah Hagi uncovered a series of offensive tweets Gascón made during 2020 and 2021. The tweets, which were written in Spanish and translated to English, included problematic opinions about Muslims, George Floyd, the Oscars, COVID, and more. It was not long after that her opinions and old tweets went viral, gaining more attention. This is not the first time Gascón has brought controversy to Emilia Pérez for things she has said or posted.

Shortly after reporting on the tweets picked up, Gascón issued an apology in a statement to Variety. Gascón’s full apology can be read below, but her comments were not widely accepted. Even her co-star Zoe Saldaña responded to Gascón’s tweets, acknowledging that she does not support those tweets.

Karla Sofía Gascón: I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. 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.

Karla Sofía Gascón has continued to comment on her controversial tweets on social media and in additional interviews. In an Instagram post translated from Spanish to English, she said, “I am not racist” and “I cannot fix my past actions, I can only say that today I am not the same person from 10 or 20 years ago.” The latter remark does not excuse the tweets, as they were made within the last five years.

In a later interview with CNN​​​​​​, which the actress reportedly set up on her own, she attempted to explain the various controversial tweets. This mainly included arguments that her tweets were taken out of context, manipulated, or completely fabricated; the latter she says is true of the post about her co-star Selena Gomez. She has since deactivated her X account, but screensH๏τs of the tweets still exist.

Gascón also used that interview to confirm that she will not withdraw from Oscars consideration in the Best Actress category. She said, “I cannot step down from an Oscar nomination because I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone.” However, Netflix and the team around Emilia Pérez are working to distance the film from the now controversial star. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gascón will not attend any upcoming awards festivities, including the Critics’ Choice Awards or PGA Awards. Netflix has even removed her from several FYC advertisements already.

Emilia Pérez’s Best Picture Chances Are Worse After The Karla Sofía Gascón Controversy

The Movie May Have Finally Become Too Controversial

Emilia Pérez was a divisive Best Picture contender even before the Karla Sofía Gascón controversy. There was plenty of criticism for the film’s portrayal of Spanish culture and people from the beginning, but that belief has strengthened after director Jacques Audiard said Spanish “is the language of undeveloped countries, the poor, and migrants.” There has also long been a contingent of viewers who think the film is a poor representation of transgender people. Even GLAAD is among Emilia Pérez‘s critics for its trans representation. Still, the 13 Oscar nominations suggested the Academy could overlook valid criticisms.

The latest controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón could finally push the film into a place where it is too controversial for many voters to vote for. While Oscar ballots are not made public, voters may no longer feel comfortable recognizing Emilia Pérez as a Best Picture winner. That idea is already starting to surface online, but it could really depend on Netflix’s campaign from this point on. The movie is already distancing itself from Gascón and will look to convince voters that the film as a whole is still worth celebrating, even if she is part of it.

Emilia Pérez winning Best Picture was not a far-fetched idea two weeks ago, but it is now. The movie faced a potentially uphill battle thanks to the preferential ballot, as some voters could rank it last among the nominated films. There was still a world where many others could put it at the top of their ballots, or at least near the top, but that feels less likely now. Even if Gascón is not at the 97th Academy Awards and part of the celebration for the film winning Best Picture, ignoring the central star and character would be awkward.

Karla Sofía Gascón Has No Chance To Win Best Actress Now

She Was Already A LongsH๏τ To Win The Oscar

The most clear impact on the 2025 Oscars and Emilia Pérez is that Karla Sofía Gascón has no sH๏τ at winning Best Actress now. She was seemingly in a good position to win if love for Emilia Pérez moved towards the film sweeping through the ceremony. Demi Moore (The Substance) and Mikey Madison (Anora) were already the leaders in terms of contenders. We previously had Gascón in the third spot, ahead of Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), in our Best Actress Oscars 2025 winner prediction – but she will drop now.

Although there is the historical significance of Karla Sofía Gascón becoming the first openly transgender person to earn an acting Oscar nomination, her chance to win is unfathomable now. Gascón does not have any support at the moment. Netflix is already working to campaign the film without her, and her peers will not support her due to these previous comments. The controversy also came before Oscars voting started, so all voters will have the controversy in mind when its time to cast their ballots.

Will Karla Sofía Gascón Cost Emilia Pérez Wins In Other Oscars Categories?

The Movie Was Expected To Win Several Other Oscars

The reality of the situation for Emilia Pérez is that the movie is now potentially in a worse spot across the board with the Oscars. Zoe Saldaña was the favorite to win Best Supporting Actress, but the controversy could give Ariana Grande an opening to take the victory. Emilia Pérez was also the predicted winner for Best International Feature Film, but that could change too, allowing I’m Still Here or another nominee to emerge. Even something like Makeup & Hairstyling could move out of reach for the film due to how Gascón’s character is connected to the nomination.

It’s ultimately unclear if Oscars voters will decide to essentially boycott the film in the wake of Gascón’s controversy or look to honor the film for its other qualities still. A complete boycott of the film would be damaging and unfair to nominees who rightfully deserve recognition, such as Saldaña. Netflix will work tirelessly to save the film’s campaign and get voters on board with the idea of Emilia Pérez still winning several categories. Whether that works or not remains to be seen. All that’s clear now is Emilia Pérez is a shakier 2025 Oscars contender than before.

Sources: Sarah Hagi, Variety, Instagram, CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, GLAAD