Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of the acclaimed film Emilia Pérez, has found herself at the center of a media storm following the resurfacing of controversial tweets from her past. The 2025 Oscars season has been marred by this scandal, which began when journalist Sarah Hagi highlighted a series of offensive tweets dating back to 2019 through 2024. As a result, Gascón, who is a Best Actress nominee, has been on a relentless quest to defend her character and clarify her statements.
The controversy escalated when Gascón issued her first apology on a Thursday night, which was quickly followed by a more extensive statement the next morning. In this statement, she expressed regret but also suggested that the resurfacing of her tweets was part of a coordinated effort to sabotage her Oscar chances. This narrative of victimization has been a recurring theme in her subsequent communications.
On social media, Gascón took to Instagram to assert her innocence, declaring, “I am not a racist,” and claiming that her detractors had succeeded in tarnishing her reputation with “lies or things taken out of context.” She specifically addressed allegations regarding a tweet in which she purportedly referred to her Emilia Pérez co-star, Selena Gomez, as a “rich rat.” Gascón vehemently denied this accusation, stating, “I have never said anything about my partner. I would never refer to her that way,” while insinuating that there was a plot against her.
In a bid to further clarify her position, Gascón participated in an hour-long interview with CNN en Español, which she organized independently of her film’s promotional team. During this emotional interview, she broke down in tears multiple times, oscillating between expressing remorse and defending her past tweets.
One of the most contentious tweets in question referenced George Floyd, who was murdered by former police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020. Gascón’s original tweet stated, “I truly believe that very few people ever cared about George Floyd, a drug addict and a hustler,” which sparked outrage. In her defense, she explained that while Floyd had faced significant struggles, his death had become a symbol for a larger societal issue. “He was a person who had been in a very difficult situation in his life and no one had helped him,” she said, attempting to contextualize her earlier remarks.
Additionally, Gascón faced scrutiny for past tweets that expressed anti-Islam sentiments, including one that called for a ban on the religion. She clarified that her comments were directed at “radical Islam” and emphasized her close relationship with a Muslim woman whom she loves and respects, attempting to distance herself from the accusations of bigotry.
When pressed about whether she would renounce her Oscar nomination in light of the controversy, Gascón firmly stated, “I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job and what is being valued is my acting work.” She maintained that she had not committed any crime or harmed anyone, reiterating her stance that she is not a racist and that the narrative against her is unfounded.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this scandal will impact Gascón’s career and the upcoming awards season. The public’s reaction has been mixed, with some expressing sympathy for her plight while others remain critical of her past statements. The dialogue surrounding her tweets and the broader implications of her comments on race and identity will likely persist, keeping Gascón in the spotlight as the Oscars approach.
