In a revealing and emotionally charged interview with CNN en Español, actress Karla Sofía Gascón responded to allegations of racism and Islamophobia that resurfaced from her past social media posts. The discussion, which aired on Sunday, February 2, provided the Oscar-nominated actress a platform to clarify her past remarks and defend her character against the backlash she has received in recent weeks.
Denial of Racism Allegations and Refusal to Renounce Oscar Nomination
Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first transgender woman to receive a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards for her role in Emilia Pérez, addressed whether she would consider stepping down from the prestigious nomination amid the controversy. She firmly stated that renouncing her nomination was not an option, as her work should be judged solely on its artistic merit and not on social media controversies.
“I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job, and what is being valued is my acting work,” Gascón said, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s translation of the interview.
She continued, emphasizing her innocence, “I cannot step down from an Oscar nomination because I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone. I am neither racist nor anything that all these people have tried to make others believe I am.”
Addressing Controversial George Floyd Comments
One of the biggest points of contention regarding Gascón’s past social media activity was her comments following the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020, which sparked the global Black Lives Matter movement. In now-deleted posts, Gascón referred to Floyd as “a drug addict and a hustler” and claimed that his death only served to highlight the divide between those who see Black people as “monkeys without rights” and those who label the police as “murderers.”
These statements were widely criticized as offensive and dismissive of Floyd’s unjust killing at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. In her interview with CNN, Gascón defended her words, insisting that they were misinterpreted. She argued that her intent was to call out the hypocrisy in how society suddenly supported Floyd posthumously when he had struggled throughout his life without help.
“He was a person who had been in a very difficult situation in his life, and no one had helped him. And suddenly, he becomes a symbol of a cause, and everyone loved him,” she explained, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
She categorically denied ever making racist remarks, asserting, “But for someone to think that I have ever insulted a person because of their skin color? I do not allow that to anyone, to anyone.”
Responding to Islamophobia Allegations
Gascón also took the opportunity to address claims of Islamophobia, which stemmed from past comments that resurfaced through investigative journalist Sarah Hagi. The actress insisted that she holds no prejudice against Muslims, sharing that she has had a significant relationship with a Muslim woman who deeply impacted her understanding and respect for the religion.
“I had a relationship with a Muslim woman whom I adore, whom I love, and who has taught me so much about respect for people,” Gascón said.
She further clarified that her past comments were directed toward radical Islamic extremism, not Islam as a whole. However, critics argue that her previous posts contained inflammatory rhetoric that painted an entire religious group in a negative light.
Denial of Alleged Tweet Insulting Selena Gomez
Another controversy linked to Gascón was a resurfaced tweet in which she reportedly called her Emilia Pérez co-star Selena Gomez a “rich rat,” referencing Gomez’s long-rumored feud with Hailey Bieber. When questioned about the alleged post, Gascón outright denied its authenticity, claiming that she had never made such a comment.
“It’s not mine, of course,” Gascón told CNN. “I have never said anything about my colleague. I would never refer to her that way.”
She suggested that fake social media posts might have been circulated to damage her reputation, especially during the Oscar voting period.
“People have dedicated themselves to searching and putting together all the things that I had said at a time that I had written—most of which are false. Most of them I don’t even recognize that I wrote them. And they put them all together, and so it seems that she is a very bad person, and we remove her just when we can do the most damage, right in the voting period,” she speculated.
Despite the backlash, Gascón claimed that she is not personally invested in winning awards. “I don’t give a damn about awards,” she stated. “What I do care about is the people that I represent, because of what I represent in this world. We can all change and be better people in this world.”
Online Harassment and Decision to Leave Social Media
As the controversy has grown, so has the online harassment directed at Gascón. The actress revealed that she has received death threats and abusive messages, prompting her decision to deactivate her X (formerly Twitter) account. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, she expressed the emotional toll that the situation has taken on her and her family.
“I’m sorry, but I can no longer allow this campaign of hate and misinformation to affect me and my family. So at their request, I am closing my account on X,” she said.
She added, “I have been threatened with death, insulted, abused, and harassed to the point of exhaustion. I have a wonderful daughter to protect, whom I love madly and who supports me in everything.”
Co-Star Zoe Saldaña’s Reaction to the Controversy
Gascón’s Emilia Pérez co-star, Zoe Saldaña, also addressed the controversy in a recent Q&A session in London. Saldaña expressed her sadness and disappointment over the situation but avoided directly condemning or defending Gascón.
“I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days, and I’m sad,” Saldaña said, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
She continued, “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group. I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film. My experience and my interactions with them were about inclusivity, collaboration, and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me.”
Gascón’s interview has sparked widespread discussion, raising questions about accountability, cancel culture, and the impact of social media controversies on professional careers. While she maintains her innocence and insists that her words were misinterpreted, the backlash continues to shape public perception as the Academy Awards voting period progresses.
The Information is Collected from Variety and Yahoo.
