The Rise and Fall of Karla Sofía Gascón: An Oscars Controversy
Last August, Karla Sofía Gascón, star of "Emilia Pérez," revealed to an interviewer her combative nature, stating she was not one to shy away from conflict. Fast forward to last week, where Gascón, a 52-year-old actress, was riding high with a record-breaking 13 Oscar nominations for "Emilia Pérez" and a historic nomination as the first openly trans actress for an Oscar. However, things took a turn when journalist Sarah Hagi unearthed controversial posts by Gascón that led to a media frenzy and jeopardized both her career and the awards campaign for "Emilia Pérez."
Despite issuing an apology for the posts, Gascón took matters into her own hands, deactivating her account, sending defiant messages to the press, and continuing to defend herself on social media. This move, not sanctioned by Netflix, has put the streamer in a difficult position as they navigate how to salvage the once-promising awards campaign.
The controversy surrounding Gascón is just the latest example of a trend in which online controversies impact awards season. Social media now plays a significant role in exposing past gaffes and influencing the perception of nominees. While not all online controversies affect Oscar voters, the Gascón fiasco has certainly captured the attention of liberal Oscar voters who may now have conflicting feelings about supporting the trans-empowerment narrative of "Emilia Pérez."
As Netflix works to refocus its campaign around Gascón’s co-star, Zoe Saldaña, the future of "Emilia Pérez"’s best-picture chances remains uncertain. Despite the backlash, European voters may still show support for the film at upcoming awards ceremonies. Gascón, on the other hand, has chosen to focus on European awards and may skip some stateside events, with Netflix no longer covering her expenses for trips to Los Angeles.
In the wake of this controversy, the industry is likely to see changes in how awards campaigns are conducted. Purging old social media posts may become a standard practice, and Oscar strategists will need to be more vigilant about potential issues with nominees. Ultimately, the Gascón controversy serves as a reminder of the impact of social media on the awards season and the need for nominees to be mindful of their online presence.