In a recent interview with Deadline, Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard revealed that he cut ties with the star of his Oscar-nominated film, Karla Sofía Gascón. Calling her actions “inexcusable”, the director said, “I haven’t spoken to her, and I don’t want to. 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? Why? I don’t understand it.”
ALSO READ | ‘Emilia Pérez’ director Jacques Audiard distances from Karla Sofía Gascón amid recent controversy
Now, Gascón has responded to Audiard’s interview. Taking to Instagram, she posted a photo of the cast and crew, with the caption stating: “Following Jacques interview that I understand, I decided, for the film, for Jacques, for the cast, for the incredible crew who deserves it, for the beautiful adventure we all had together, to let the work talk for itself, hoping my silence will allow the film to be appreciated for what it is, a beautiful ode to love and difference.”
“I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been hurt along the way,” she concluded.
Karla Sofía Gascón controversy
After the Oscar nominations were announced on January 23, past tweets of Gascón, who is nominated in this year’s Best Actress category, resurfaced, showing her making insensitive Islamophobic, racist, and xenophobic comments. In addition, an old post revealed Gascón badmouthing her Emilia Pérez co-star Selena Gomez.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix, who holds Emilia Pérez’s film distribution rights, and her PR agency, The Lede Company, have dropped her from the campaign. The Netflix drop means that the streamer will no longer cover Gascón’s travel and accommodation expenses related to promoting the film or for the award ceremonies for which it secured nominations.
Audiard’s Emilia Pérez leads the Oscars race with 13 nods, including Best Picture. Gascón is the first openly transgender actor to be nominated for Best Actress in the award show’s history, marking a significant milestone for the Academy. As the controversy continues, it seems unlikely that Gascón will win the Oscar, as final voting for the coveted gold statue will take place on February 11.
