Zoe Saldaña Breaks Her Silence as Karla Sofía Gascón’s Tweets Rock Emilia Pérez
The controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez has reached another boiling point. Zoe Saldaña, a Best Supporting Actress nominee for the film, has now spoken publicly about the firestorm engulfing her co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón.
During a Q&A in London, Saldaña responded to questions about Gascón’s resurfaced tweets. The social media posts contained offensive remarks about Muslims, Black Lives Matter, and the Academy Awards. “I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days. And I’m sad,” Saldaña said, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it]. And I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group.”
Speaking alongside director Jacques Audiard, Saldaña emphasized that her personal experience on the film was one of inclusivity and collaboration. “It saddens me that we are having to face this setback right now,” she added. “But I’m happy that you’re all here and that you’re all still showing up for Emilia Pérez because the message that this film has is so powerful.”
Karla Sofía Gascón’s Tweets Spark Industry-Wide Backlash
Gascón, who made history as the first openly trans performer nominated for an Oscar, is now at the center of awards season’s biggest scandal. The controversy started when journalist Sarah Hagi unearthed a series of problematic tweets spanning from 2020 to recent years.
According to BuzzFeed, Gascón’s posts included anti-Islamic sentiments, dismissive remarks about George Floyd, and criticism of the Academy’s diversity efforts. Screenshots of the tweets spread quickly, leading to widespread condemnation across social media.
Following the backlash, Gascón issued an initial apology. She stated, “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.” However, the apology did little to calm the outrage, especially as more tweets surfaced, including one that seemingly defended Adolf Hitler.
By Friday, Gascón had deactivated her account and released a second statement alleging that she was the victim of a smear campaign. “It is clear that there is something very dark behind this,” she wrote. “But I tell you something: ‘The more you try to sink me, the stronger it will make me.’”
A Crisis for Emilia Pérez During Oscar Season
The timing of this controversy couldn’t be worse for Emilia Pérez, which is up for 13 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and multiple acting categories. According to IndieWire, Gascón’s comments could jeopardize her Oscar chances and potentially hurt the film’s overall campaign.
Gascón’s remarks also risk violating Oscar campaigning rules, which prohibit nominees from disparaging other contenders. While some initially speculated that her viral comments about fellow nominee Fernanda Torres could cross that line, Variety clarified that they did not constitute a formal rules violation.
However, the damage to the film’s reputation is undeniable. Audience reception to Emilia Pérez has been mixed at best. While critics have given it a respectable 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audience scores sit at a dismal 19%.
What Happens Next for Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón?
The fallout from Gascón’s tweets continues to unfold. With Oscar voting beginning on February 11, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact Emilia Pérez’s chances. Saldaña, one of the film’s most high-profile stars, has positioned herself as a voice of reason amid the chaos, choosing to focus on the movie’s intended message.
Meanwhile, Gascón’s latest statement suggests she is gearing up for a fight, rather than retreating from the spotlight. Whether the Academy will embrace the film despite the turmoil—or distance itself from the controversy—will be revealed when the Oscars air on March 2.
