Selena Gomez Speaks Out on Karla Sofía Gascón and the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Drama: ‘Some of the Magic Has Disappeared’
The controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez continues to escalate, with Selena Gomez now speaking out. During a Q&A at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 9, Gomez admitted that the backlash against her co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón, has tainted her experience with the film. According to Entertainment Weekly, Gomez shared, “Some of the magic has disappeared, but I choose to continue to be proud of what I’ve done, and I’m just grateful and live with no regrets. And I would do this movie over and over again if I could.”
The statement comes as Emilia Pérez finds itself at the center of a PR crisis. Gascón, the first openly trans performer nominated for an Oscar, is facing intense scrutiny over resurfaced social media posts. According to BuzzFeed, the tweets, dating as recently as 2020, contained anti-Islamic sentiments, dismissive remarks about George Floyd, and criticism of the Academy’s diversity efforts.
Selena Gomez Responds to Karla Sofía Gascón’s Alleged Insults
Gomez’s comments hold particular weight given one of the alleged tweets. As E! News reported, a screenshot of a 2022 post attributed to Gascón appeared to call Gomez a “rich rat” in reference to a debunked feud between Gomez and Hailey Bieber. Gascón denied the authenticity of the tweet in an interview with CNN en Español, stating, “It’s not mine, of course. I have never said anything about my colleague. I would never refer to her that way.”
While some of Gascón’s past tweets have been confirmed, she claims that certain posts circulating online have been fabricated to damage her reputation ahead of the Oscars. “Most of [these posts] are false,” she told CNN en Español. “Most of them, I don’t even recognize that I wrote them.”
The Director of Emilia Pérez Distances Himself from the Drama
Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard has made it clear he wants no part in Gascón’s growing controversy. In an interview with Deadline, Audiard said, “She is in a self-destructive approach that I can’t interfere in, and I really don’t understand why she’s continuing. Why is she harming herself?”
Gascón, however, has refused to back down. Calls for her to withdraw from the Oscars race have grown louder, yet she told CNN she has no intention of doing so. “I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone,” she said. “I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job, and what is being valued is my acting work.”
How the Karla Sofía Gascón Scandal Affects Selena Gomez’s Oscar Campaign
With Oscar voting set to begin on February 11, the fallout from Gascón’s past remarks could impact Emilia Pérez’s chances. According to Variety, while the Academy prohibits nominees from publicly disparaging others, there is no rule against a nominee’s past social media posts affecting their standing. However, industry experts warn that negative press can sway voters, particularly in a tight race.
Despite the controversy, Gomez has maintained a diplomatic stance, choosing to focus on her work rather than the scandal. “Having someone see something in me besides the obvious was such a special experience,” she said, per USA Today. “I hope this is just the beginning for me in this field.”
Still, Emilia Pérez faces an uphill battle. The film, which won the Cannes Jury Prize and four Golden Globes, has received mixed audience reception. While critics have given it a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audience scores linger at a low 19%.
What Happens Next for Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón?
As the days count down to the Oscars, the storm surrounding Emilia Pérez shows no signs of settling. With Gascón facing mounting criticism, Audiard distancing himself, and now Gomez acknowledging the controversy, the film’s awards season trajectory remains uncertain. The Cut questioned whether Gascón’s insistence that Gomez and Zoe Saldaña support her “200 percent” is accurate, given their measured public responses.
Gomez has positioned herself as a voice of resilience, but the scandal has cast a long shadow. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, “never in a million years” did Saldaña expect the film to be in this position. The Academy now faces a difficult decision: embrace Emilia Pérez for its groundbreaking representation or distance itself from the firestorm.
With Oscar night approaching, the biggest question remains: Will Emilia Pérez overcome the controversy, or will this scandal define its legacy?
