Selena Gomez has finally spoken about the controversy surrounding her Emilia Pérez co-star Karla Sofia Gascón. Amid growing criticism over Gascón’s resurfaced social media posts, Gomez made it clear that she has “no regrets” about being part of the film. She shared her thoughts at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, emphasizing that she remains proud of her work in the Oscar-nominated movie.
Speaking at the event, Selena was asked how she felt about the ongoing backlash affecting the film’s Academy Awards campaign. She responded, “I’m really good… Some of the magic has disappeared, but I choose to continue to be proud of what I’ve done, and I’m just, I’m just grateful and live with no regrets.” She further added, “And I would do this movie over and over again if I could.” Her words received applause from the audience.
Karla Sofia Gascón who plays the lead role in Emilia Pérez, has been under fire since old social media posts resurfaced, showing controversial statements about Black people, immigrants and Islam. Despite repeated apologies, the backlash has impacted the film’s awards campaign. Karla, the first openly transgender actor to be nominated for an Oscar in an acting category, addressed the situation in a CNN en Español interview, stating, “I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job… I am not a racist, nor am I anything that all these people have taken it upon themselves to try to make others believe that I am.”
Meanwhile, other members of the cast and crew have distanced themselves from Gascón’s statements. Actress Zoe Saldaña addressed the controversy saying, “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.” Meanwhile, the film’s director Jacques Audiard also stated that he has severed ties with Gascón, calling her comments “inexcusable”.
Netflix, which launched an extensive awards campaign for Emilia Pérez, has scaled back its association with Karla and she will no longer attend promotional events. While the film continues to be a strong contender in several Oscar categories, the controversy has put its winning chances in doubt. As Oscar voting continues, industry experts speculate on whether the backlash will impact its chances for major wins.
For now, Emilia Pérez remains a highly-discussed film both for its groundbreaking representation and the ongoing controversy surrounding one of its stars. Selena Gomez, Emilia Pérez and the entire team now await the final results of the Academy Awards.
