Despite the controversies surrounding 'Emilia Pérez,' the film continues its turbulent journey through the 2025 awards season.
Since its release, the movie has been embroiled in controversy, not only due to mixed reactions to its performances but primarily because of resurfaced offensive tweets from Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón.
The backlash was so severe that the production team decided to exclude Gascón from all promotional activities, creating a clear divide between her, the cast, and the director.
Karla Sofía Gascón's absence
On February 7, the American Film Institute (AFI) hosted its annual AFI Awards. 'Emilia Pérez' was recognized among the top ten films of the year alongside 'Wicked,' 'Conclave,' 'The Brutalist,' 'Anora,' 'A Complete Unknown,' 'A Real Pain,' 'Nickel Boys,' 'Sing Sing,' and 'Dune: Part Two.'
While most actors from the nominated films attended, Gascón's absence was the most notable. Given Netflix's decision not to support her in the film's promotional tour, it wasn't entirely unexpected, yet seeing most of the 'Emilia Pérez' cast present without its lead was striking.
The AFI Awards are known for celebrating artistic achievements rather than direct competition, providing a relaxed space for industry figures ahead of the Oscars. This festive atmosphere was evident in event photos.
Who attended?
Representing 'Emilia Pérez' were Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, Édgar Ramírez, and director Jacques Audiard, along with Netflix's Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.
However, both Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón were absent. Gomez appears to be focused on commitments related to her Rare Beauty brand. She made her first public appearance since her emotional video about immigrants alongside Jennifer Aniston to promote a new beauty product.
Gascón, on the other hand, remains in a delicate position, with her presence at such events potentially causing tension.
Karla Sofía Gascón speaks out
During the event, Gascón took to social media to share a message of reconciliation with her team, stating that she would step back "for the good of the film."
"After Jacques' interview, I understood and decided—for the film, for Jacques, for the cast, and for the incredible team that deserves it—for the beautiful adventure we shared together, to let the work speak for itself," she wrote, accompanying a photo of the cast holding hands.
She also confirmed her intention to stay "on the sidelines" to ensure the film's award season journey remains uninterrupted.
"I hope my silence allows the film to be appreciated for what it is: a beautiful ode to love and differences. I sincerely apologize to anyone I have hurt along the way," she added.
Prior to this, Variety reported that Gascón would not attend the Goya Awards on February 8, further confirming that she does not plan to be present at any upcoming major events.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
