During the 97th Academy Awards, actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who starred in Emilia Pérez, found herself in an uncomfortable situation in the audience after host Conan O’Brien made a series of jokes about the controversy surrounding her social media past.
Karla Gascón’s Uncomfortable Moment at the Oscars
As the Oscars ceremony unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Gascón, 52, appeared visibly awkward in her seat as O’Brien poked fun at her past scandal.
The jokes centered around her old tweets that resurfaced and created a stir, bringing attention to allegations of racism, homophobia, and body shaming.
This controversy had escalated after Gascón made history by becoming the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for her role in Emilia Pérez.
However, the controversy surrounding her social media posts started to overshadow her historic nomination.
Conan O’Brien’s Jokes and the Backlash
During the live broadcast, Conan O’Brien joked that Best Picture nominee Anora had used the “f-word” 479 times, making a pointed remark about Gascón’s publicist.
As the camera turned to Gascón, O’Brien continued his jests, saying, “Karla, if you’re going to tweet about the Oscars, my name is Jimmy Kimmel,” referring to another host. Gascón’s expression made it clear that she was not amused by the humor.
The audience on social media quickly reacted to the moment, with some users expressing surprise that O’Brien had made such a joke directly in front of Gascón.
Many noted the potential gender and cultural dynamics at play, with some pointing out how male actors rarely receive similar treatment for past mistakes.
The Fallout from the Tweet Scandal
Earlier in February, Netflix came under fire when reports emerged that they had removed Gascón’s image from promotional materials for Emilia Pérez, despite her having a pivotal role in the film.
This move sparked accusations that the streaming service was trying to distance itself from Gascón due to the backlash surrounding her controversial social media posts.
Many users on platforms like X/Twitter criticized the omission, questioning why Gascón was excluded from the promotion of the film, especially given her groundbreaking role as the first openly transgender woman nominated for Best Actress.
Film critics and fans alike began to wonder whether Netflix had intentionally minimized her involvement in order to avoid further public relations issues.
As one user pointed out, “It’s like they’re erasing their trans lead from their Oscar campaign,” while another remarked on how the streaming service opted to highlight supporting actress Zoe Saldaña instead of Gascón.
The Impact on Emilia Pérez’s Oscar Campaign
Despite these controversies, Emilia Pérez remains a strong contender at the Oscars, receiving 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Jacques Audiard, and a nod for Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña.
However, it’s clear that the film’s campaign has been impacted by the scandal surrounding Gascón, with some even suggesting that Netflix has essentially “given up” on pushing Gascón as a viable contender for Best Actress.
As the film industry continues to navigate the intersection of cultural issues and personal conduct, the spotlight on Gascón at the Oscars raised important questions about accountability and how such controversies affect an artist’s career, especially when they’re involved in such a historic nomination.
Social Media Reactions and Further Criticism
The conversation surrounding Gascón wasn’t limited to the jokes at the Oscars.
Social media users debated the cultural implications of the treatment she received, with some pointing out the double standards between how male and female actors are held accountable for past mistakes.
Others remarked that Gascón’s past actions had been forgiven far more easily than those of other stars who had been involved in similar controversies.
Despite the backlash, Gascón remained at the center of public attention, and the drama surrounding her nomination continued to stir conversation across social media platforms.
The 2025 Academy Awards proved to be a moment of reflection on how race, gender, and past behavior can influence an artist’s standing, even when they achieve monumental milestones in their careers.
Oscar 2025 Overview: The Night’s Winners and Nominees
In other Oscars news, the ceremony also saw Anora take home multiple awards, including Best Director for Sean Baker and Best Original Screenplay.
The Brutalist and Wicked also picked up key honors, marking the diverse range of films competing in this year’s ceremony.
The full list of winners reflected a wide variety of genres and talents, with intense competition in many categories.