Photo Credit:Jordan Strauss
Zoe Saldaña is reveling in the joy of her first-ever Oscar nomination for _Emilia Pérez_, but the celebrations have been shadowed by controversy surrounding her co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón. As the Netflix-backed film racks up a staggering 13 nominations, making it the most-nominated film of the year, social media discourse has shifted from praise to scrutiny after Gascón’s past offensive remarks resurfaced online.
The controversy erupted when journalist Sarah Hagi shared screenshots of old posts in which Gascón made Islamophobic comments and criticized George Floyd, referring to him as a "scammer drug addict." The backlash was swift, leading to an awkward situation for the _Emilia Pérez_ team—particularly for Saldaña, who is one of the front-runners for Best Supporting Actress.
Saldaña addressed the controversy in a recent episode of _Variety’s Awards Circuit_ podcast, saying, “I’m very sad. I’m also disappointed.” She emphasized that she does not support “any negative rhetoric of racism and bigotry towards any group of people,” adding, “I can’t speak for other people’s actions.”
Despite the turbulence, Saldaña is trying to hold on to the joy of her nomination. “I’m taking it day by day, and that joy is starting to come back,” she said. “I’m taking my time to process, and I don’t think this is something we have to figure out immediately.”
Meanwhile, Gascón has issued a public apology but has refused to withdraw from the Oscars race, stating, “I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone.” French director Jacques Audiard, who helmed _Emilia Pérez_, has since distanced himself from Gascón, calling her comments “hateful” and “inexcusable.”
Netflix, which has been actively promoting _Emilia Pérez_ for awards season, is reportedly distancing itself from Gascón to protect the film’s campaign. While the streamer has not publicly commented, sources suggest it is no longer in direct communication with the actress.
With the Academy Awards approaching on March 2, it remains to be seen how the controversy will impact the film’s chances. For now, Saldaña is focused on celebrating the work and navigating the storm as best as she can.
