Oscars Controversy: Jacques Audiard Critiques Karla Sofía Gascón Amid Racist Tweet Outrage
Jacques Audiard, the acclaimed director of the most nominated film at the 2025 Oscars, "Emilia Pérez," is in the spotlight for his recent comments regarding the Spanish actress and nominee Karla Sofía Gascón. In an interview with Deadline magazine, Audiard sharply criticized Gascón for her past social media behavior, particularly her racist and xenophobic remarks made years ago on X (formerly Twitter).
Audiard expressed his frustration over Gascón’s self-destructive attitude and her tendency to portray herself as a victim in the aftermath of the scandal surrounding her old tweets. He condemned her recent actions, stating, "It’s as if she thinks words don’t hurt," emphasizing the impact her comments have on others and the overall team involved in the film. He particularly mentioned concerns for co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, who have also allegedly been affected by Gascón's past statements.
The tension between Audiard and Gascón has reportedly escalated in recent weeks, leading Audiard to confirm that he no longer wishes to have any contact with her. He believes that Gascón needs time and space to reflect on her actions and take responsibility for them.
This controversy comes during an intense Oscars campaign for "Emilia Pérez," distributed by Netflix, which has garnered an impressive 13 nominations, including Best Actress for Gascón and Best Director for Audiard, among others. Gascón made history as the first openly transgender performer nominated for an Oscar in an acting category.
Despite this groundbreaking achievement, the backlash from her past comments has led Netflix to reportedly remove Gascón from promotional activities related to the Oscars. As of now, she is expected to miss several key events, including the Critics Choice Awards, the AFI awards lunch, and the Producers Guild Awards, which are highly significant as voting for the Oscars draws near.
While Gascón's absence from these events has been confirmed, she is currently in Madrid, sparking speculation regarding her participation in the upcoming Goya Awards, where "Emilia Pérez" is nominated for Best European Film. Although her attendance hadn’t been planned initially, her team is now considering the possibility of her going to Granada for the awards show. However, no official confirmation from the Spanish Film Academy regarding her attendance has emerged yet.
Gascón's swift rise from relative obscurity to international acclaim began with her performance at the Cannes Film Festival, where she and the female cast of "Emilia Pérez" won the Best Actress award. Nevertheless, the ongoing controversy could threaten her nominations at other prestigious award ceremonies like the BAFTAs and the César Awards, especially after losing the Golden Globe in her category to Demi Moore.
As the situation unfolds, both Gascón and Audiard find themselves at a critical junction during what should be a celebratory moment for the film. With the Oscars approaching, the Hollywood Academy is also facing calls to reconsider Gascón's nominations amidst the backlash. The outcome remains to be seen, but the narrative around "Emilia Pérez" has taken a complicated turn following these revelations.
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