Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, is confirmed to attend the upcoming 2025 Academy Awards on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Sources reveal that Netflix will cover the expenses for Gascón’s attendance at the prestigious event, where she is nominated for Best Actress for her role in the Spanish-language musical.
Details regarding her exact plans for the night are still being finalized, including whether she will walk the red carpet, engage with media during interviews, or sit alongside her co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and director Jacques Audiard. Gascón is also expected to attend the César Awards in Paris on February 28, prior to the Oscars.
Gascón’s presence at both events marks a significant moment in her career, as she has become the first openly transgender actor to receive an Academy Award nomination. However, her journey to the Oscars has been marred by controversy following the resurfacing of old social media posts that sparked outrage due to their offensive content.
Earlier in the awards season, Gascón’s campaign hit a major setback when her past comments on social media, made on X (formerly Twitter), came to light. In these posts, she expressed controversial views on various topics, including Muslims, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars. The backlash was swift, and Gascón faced significant scrutiny from the public and industry peers alike.
In light of the controversy, Gascón skipped several major awards ceremonies, including the Critics Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, despite receiving nominations at each of those events. Her absence at these events further fueled speculation about her future in the awards race.
In response to the backlash, Gascón issued an apology, acknowledging the hurt caused by her past comments. “I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt,” Gascón said in a statement to Variety. “As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Following the public apology, Gascón made it clear that she would no longer be making any further public statements about the issue. In an interview with CNN en Español on February 1, she refrained from addressing the matter any further, signaling her desire to move forward from the controversy.
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Despite the tumult surrounding her, Gascón has continued to break barriers in Hollywood. In addition to being the first openly transgender actress nominated for an Oscar, she made history as the first transgender woman to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, which she shared with Saldaña, Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Gascón also made history earlier by becoming the first transgender woman nominated for a Golden Globe in the film acting category.
Gascón’s journey has not been without its challenges, but her achievements in the industry have been groundbreaking. As she heads to the Oscars, her nomination stands as a symbol of progress for transgender representation in Hollywood.
Representatives for Gascón and Netflix did not provide a comment regarding her attendance at the Oscars or the ongoing fallout from her social media posts. The New York Post first reported Gascón’s planned attendance at the Academy Awards.
As the awards season progresses, all eyes will be on Gascón’s next steps and whether her Oscar nomination will lead to a historic win. In the meantime, her presence at both the César Awards and the Oscars is a reminder of the significant strides she has made in an industry that has long struggled with issues of inclusivity and representation for transgender actors.
Gascón’s career trajectory serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, as she continues to break down barriers while navigating the complexities of her public and professional life. As the Oscars draw closer, many will be watching to see how Gascón handles the spotlight, given the controversy that has followed her throughout this awards season.
