Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón: Netflix Cuts Ties with Emilia Pérez Star Karla Sofía Gascón Amid Controversy Over Old Tweets After resurfacing social media posts sparked backlash, Netflix reportedly distanced itself from Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón.
Netflix has decided to exclude the Spanish actor who goes by the name #KarlaSofíaGascón from the promotional campaign for the film Emilia Pérez at the 2025 Academy Awards.
This decision comes in response to the controversy surrounding old tweets in which Gascón made comments considered racist.
Netflix Drops Gascón from the Oscars Campaign
The streaming giant has removed Gascón from its promotional efforts for the highly anticipated Emilia Pérez, despite earning 13 Oscar nominations—more than any other movie this year. Previously featured prominently in award-season campaigns(Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón), Gascón’s presence has now been erased from posters and online advertisements.
The decision follows the resurfacing of past tweets in which Gascón allegedly made Islamophobic remarks, referring to Islam as “an infection” and “deeply disgusting.” Other controversial posts included criticism of diversity initiatives(Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón), China, and the late George Floyd, whose death in 2020 ignited global protests against racial injustice.
Backlash and Response
Initially, Gascón issued an apology via Netflix and deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account. However, she later defended herself in an interview with CNN, stating she is “not a racist” and attributing the backlash to “cancel culture” in a social media post(Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón). Despite the controversy, she has confirmed she will not withdraw from Oscar contention.
Netflix has since removed her from all official awards campaigning, with a “For Your Consideration” web page now featuring Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez’s Best Supporting Actress nominee, in place of Gascón. Reports indicate she will also skip major events, including the Critics Choice Awards.
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About Emilia Pérez
¡ENVUELTA EN LA POLÉMICA! Antiguos tweets de #KarlaSofiaGascon se hicieron virales en redes sociales. En ellos la actriz lanzó fuertes comentarios en contra de la comunidad musulmana en Europa, la diversidad en los #Oscars y el caso de #GeorgeFloyd. pic.twitter.com/r5AMvJWpiO
— Escape Digital (@EscapeDigitall) January 31, 2025
The film tells the story of a feared Mexican drug cartel leader who undergoes a gender transition and seeks redemption. While praised for its bold storytelling, Emilia Pérez has faced criticism for its portrayal of Mexico’s drug war, its representation of trans identities, and the use of AI to modify Gascón’s singing voice.
Oscars and Controversy
Despite the ongoing backlash, Emilia Pérez remains a frontrunner for several Academy Awards. Hollywood has a history of awarding films despite controversy(Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón). Green Book won Best Picture in 2019, even after its producer was criticized for spreading anti-Muslim misinformation.
With the Oscars fast approaching, the fallout from Gascón’s remarks continues to shadow Netflix’s campaign.
The film’s director, Jacques Audiard, has also distanced himself from Gascón
Meanwhile, director Jacques Audiard told Deadline that he has refrained from contacting Gascón, stating, “Right now, she needs space to reflect and take responsibility for her actions.”
“Unfortunately, this situation has overshadowed everything(Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón), and that deeply saddens me,” he admitted.
Reflecting on his experience working with Gascón, Audiard added(Netflix Drops Karla Sofía Gascón), “It’s difficult for me to look back on our collaboration—the trust we built, the incredible atmosphere on set, all rooted in mutual respect.
“But when you develop that kind of bond and then suddenly read such hateful and indefensible remarks from that person, it inevitably changes everything. It feels like falling into a void. What Karla Sofía said is inexcusable.”
Emilia Pérez’s controversy may significantly impact its chances of winning Best Picture, especially in a year without a clear frontrunner.
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