Netflix has distanced itself from trans “Emilia Pérez” star Karla Sofia Gascón and scrubbed images of Gascón from their Oscars campaign.
The streaming giant made an unprecedented move by isolating the lead character from film promotions. The bold move is believed to be an attempt to salvage the film’s Oscar prospects after the Spanish actor issued an apology for past social media posts that were perceived as being offensive, Islamophobic, and racist, according to a Feb. 4 report published by Variety. Netflix is no longer including Gascón in the critical second phase of the Oscars campaign, including major events such as the AFI Awards luncheon, the Critics Choice Awards, the Directors Guild of America Awards, and the Producers Guild of America Awards. Gascón is also expected to be absent from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Netflix made its position clear by removing all its financial support previously designated for promotions, according to Variety.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JANUARY 15: Sofía Gascón attends Media during Red Carpet of ‘Emilia Pérez’ movie at Cinepolis Plaza Carso on January 15, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images)
The spotlight on Gascón dimmed quickly. The actor went from giving an acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, to being shunned entirely.
Sources close to the situation said this includes the halt of all expenses typically paid to the actor to cover attendance at various awards shows and high-profile appearances, according to Variety. Gascón will need to pay for everything including airfare, accommodations, attire, styling, and many more previously funded items, should the actor decide to attend on their own accord.
Sources said tensions are running so high that the public relations firm representing Gascón, The Lede Company, is no longer communicating with the actor, or with Netflix. Communication is believed to be channeled through Gascón’s United Talent Agency representative, Jeremy Barber, at this time.
Gascón’s missed opportunity to be part of the entire campaign is a significant one. The actor was a relative unknown until Netflix issued a payment of roughly $104,000, for the role in “Emilia Pérez,” sources told Variety.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JANUARY 15: (L-R at the middle) Jacques Audiard, Karla Sofia Gascon, Adriana Paz attend a Press Conferece of ‘Emilia Pérez’ film at Cinepolis Plaza Carso on January 15, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images)
Zoe Saldana, Gascón’s co-star in the film has been prominently featured in an advertisement that debuted Monday, highlighting the film’s 13 Oscar nominations, including best picture, international feature, director (Jacques Audiard), supporting actress (Saldaña), and original song (“El Mal”). Images of Gascón were not included in the campaign material.
Netflix is seemingly attempting to minimize the controversy surrounding Gascón’s social media comments in hopes that the actor’s tainted reputation will not have a lasting effect on the film or the work of her co-stars and collaborators, according to Variety.
“It’s hard to imagine a campaign focus that excludes the titular character while still aiming to bring home the gold,” an awards consultant told Variety. (RELATED: The 2025 Grammy Awards Took ‘Inclusiveness’ Way Too Far)
Gascón’s public apology for the offensive comments was seemingly ineffective to Netflix, with so much at stake at such a critical time for the acclaimed film.
