Karla Sofía Gascón, the Oscar-nominated transgender actress known for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” has issued an apology for her past social media posts that disparaged Islam and described George Floyd as “a drug addict and a hustler.”
In a statement released through Netflix, where her film is available for streaming, Gascón expressed her regret, saying, “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 further emphasized her lifelong commitment to fighting for a better world, asserting her belief that “light will always triumph over darkness.”
Gascón has made headlines as the first transgender actor to receive an Oscar nomination for best actress, contributing to “Emilia Pérez” being the film with the most nominations ahead of next month’s ceremony. The streaming giant Netflix is now hoping that this scandal does not hinder the film’s prospects for success during the awards.
Recent revelations about Gascón’s Twitter activity have resurfaced, including tweets dated back to 2016 which criticized the customs, dress, and language of Muslims in Spain. In addition, she controversially suggested that Islam should be prohibited. In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis in 2020, which sparked a national dialogue on issues of racial injustice and police violence, Gascón made a statement that further incited outrage, labeling Floyd as someone few cared for.
Before her transition in 2018, Gascón was a familiar face on Mexican telenovelas. In “Emilia Pérez,” she portrays dual roles: a ruthless cartel leader and the character Emilia Pérez, who resurfaces after the leader pretends to die. Years later, Emilia enlists the help of her transition lawyer, played by Zoe Saldaña, aiming to reunite with her spouse (Selena Gomez) and their children.
The scrutiny of past social media comments is not new for celebrities, as numerous figures, including James Gunn, Trevor Noah, and Blake Shelton, have faced similar incidents. All have managed to recover from their controversies, with Gunn returning to direct the third installment of “Guardians of the Galaxy” as well as the new “Superman” reboot. Noah is set to host the upcoming Grammy Awards, while Shelton remained a prominent coach on NBC’s “The Voice” for several years.
