Entertainments

Karla Sofia Gascon Wins Critics Choice Award Amid Oscar Controversy

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Spanish actor Karla Sofía Gascón was among the winners at the Critics Choice Awards, securing the Best Song award for “El Mal” from the film Emilia Pérez. However, her victory has been overshadowed by the Karla Sofía Gascón controversy, as past social media posts have resurfaced, sparking backlash and reigniting debates about accountability and diversity in the film industry.

Gascón shared the award with her Emilia Pérez co-star Zoe Saldaña and French singer-songwriter Camille Dalmais (known simply as Camille). Though the film took home three categories at Friday night’s ceremony, Gascón’s name wasn’t among any acceptance speeches.

During her speech, Camille thanked the Emilia Pérez team and, in particular, thanked Saldaña for her artistic work. Gascón, 52, was not present at the event and was not mentioned by her colleagues.

The Critics Choice Awards voting closed before controversy broke out over Gascón’s past social media posts. Recently, the star of Emilia Pérez has been under fire for a string of tweets that have been called offensive to Muslim and Black communities, as well as for her comments about diversity in the Oscars.

Past Comments Spark Backlash

Amid rising criticism, Gascón has deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account. Some of her past posts are now resurfacing, garnering sharp condemnation.

“Sorry, is it just me or are there more Muslims in Spain? Every time I pick up my daughter from school, there are more women with their hair covered and their skirts down to their heels. Next year instead of English, we’ll have to teach Arabic …

Another post targeted the Academy Awards’ evolving inclusivity efforts. In a 2021 tweet, Gascón criticized the Oscars for becoming more focused on independent and protest films. She wrote:

* “More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films. I didn’t know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration, or the 8M.”* She described the ceremony as “ugly, ugly.”

These resurfaced comments have sparked a backlash that is characterized by racism and xenophobia accusations. Gascón has been forced to come out and defend herself on Instagram, where she claims to be the victim of “cancel culture.”

Gascón Reacts to the Controversy

Recently, Gascón posted an appreciation message on Instagram to the Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard and the cast and crew for standing with her during the controversy.

“They want to subject me to ‘cancel culture,'” she wrote. “I ask Hollywood experts and journalists who know me and have followed my career: How can we move forward?”

Just days prior to this, she published an extensive Instagram statement in which she claimed “will never ask for forgiveness” and denied claims of racism against her. According to her words, her statement had been distorted by taking parts out of its real context while what she commented were reactions towards several global happenings.

Gascón was also interviewed in a 50-minute interview with journalist Juan Carlos Arciniegas at CNN en Español, justifying her declarations and refuting charges against her character.

Zoe Saldaña and Jacques Audiard Kneel-Down

Even though Gascón had a work starring in Emilia Pérez both, her co-star Zoe Saldaña as well as director Jacques Audiard, issued an act of silence in order not to speak about her during their speeches at the Critics Choice Awards.

Saldaña, who took home the Best Supporting Actress award for the film, went up on stage with prepared remarks in hand. She thanked the Emilia Pérez team, referring to playing the role of Rita as “the challenge of a lifetime.” However, she did not at any point mention Gascón during her acceptance remarks.

“To think that Emilia Pérez has been the little movie that could and has resonated with so many people has been an experience worth having, Saldaña said. “To the entire cast and crew, the talented artists, designers, and musicians, I share this with you.”

In turn, the night’s other big winner, Audiard, spoke through a translator to express his joy in receiving his award from cinema icon Jackie Chan.

“I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Audiard said. He acknowledged that he had prepared three different speeches but joked that doing so might seem “presumptuous.” He thanked the critics who voted for him but, like Saldaña, refrained from mentioning Gascón.

“This prize is the proof you have found me, and I thank you with all my heart,” he said.

The Fallout Continues

While Emilia Pérez continues to garner critical acclaim, Gascón’s involvement in the film has become a divisive topic in Hollywood. As her past remarks continue to circulate, it remains unclear how the controversy will affect her career moving forward.

Gascón’s statements and the reaction that followed underscore the debate that has been ongoing about cancel culture, accountability, and the changing nature of diversity in the entertainment industry. While some fans and supporters argue that her past remarks have been misconstrued, others see them as evidence of deep-seated prejudice.

As the awards season unfolds and the Oscars draw near, all eyes will be on Emilia Pérez and its cast—but whether Gascón will remain part of the conversation or be sidelined further remains to be seen.