Just days after controversy began over “Emilia Pérez,” the film’s lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, is now facing backlash. Resurfaced tweets from the “Emilia Pérez” star have sparked outrage across social media.
Journalist Sarah Hagi shared translated screenshots of Gascón’s past tweets before they were deleted.
One tweet from 2016 read:
“Islam is becoming a hotbed of infection for humanity that urgently needs to be cured.”
Another post criticized the way Muslim women dress.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
The Hollywood Bureau of the Muslim Public Affairs Council responded to the resurfaced posts. Senior Vice President Sue Obeidi released a statement to The Wrap condemning the remarks.
“Deleted or not, these tweets are hurtful, offensive, and shocking, most especially coming from someone who is a member of another vulnerable community,” Obeidi said. “Muslims are part of every community, including the transgender community.”
Tweet about George Floyd sparks additional criticism
Gascón also made controversial statements following the 2020 death of George Floyd.
She tweeted:
“I really think that very few people ever cared about George Floyd, a drug addict swindler, but his death has served to once again demonstrate that there are people who still consider Black people to be monkeys without rights and consider policemen to be assassins.”
According to Deadline, Gascón has also been accused of using slurs against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Her account on X is currently deactivated.
Critics call for the Academy to take action
With Gascón’s nomination for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, critics argue the resurfaced posts should factor into the Academy’s decision.
One X user wrote:
“A person like that cannot win an Oscar. A person like that is not a person. Racist, homophobic, xenophobic—Karla Sofía really is an unpleasant being.”
More controversy: Feud with Fernanda Torres?
In addition to the backlash over her past tweets, Gascón was also caught in another controversy involving fellow Best Actress nominee Fernanda Torres.
During a Jan. 28 interview, Gascón expressed concerns about negative comments online. She stated that individuals associated with Torres were attempting to discredit her and “Emilia Pérez.”
However, she later clarified that she was referring to general social media toxicity, not Torres or her team.
Karla Sofía Gascón issues apology
Following the backlash, Gascón apologized in a statement to CNN.
“As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain,” she said. “All my life, I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Her Oscar nomination marks a historic moment, making her the first openly transgender actress nominated in an acting category.
However, with controversy surrounding “Emilia Pérez” and her resurfaced tweets, the road to the Academy Awards is proving to be complicated.
