Karla Sofía Gascón, the acclaimed actress from Emilia Pérez, will not be attending the upcoming Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, sources have confirmed. 

The Spanish actress, who has been making history as the first openly trans performer nominated for a BAFTA Film Award, 

has been noticeably absent from multiple awards ceremonies amid backlash over resurfaced social media posts.

A Controversial Awards Season

Despite receiving critical acclaim for her role in Emilia Pérez, Gascón has missed several key events this awards season, 

including the Critics Choice Awards, the PGA Awards, the Goya Awards, 

and most recently, the BAFTAs in London. Now, as the SAG Awards approach, it has been confirmed that she will once again be absent from the star-studded ceremony.

While Gascón is skipping the SAGs, she is reportedly set to travel to Los Angeles for the 96th Academy Awards on March 2, where she is nominated for Best Actress.

Why Karla Sofía Gascón is Staying Away

The actress’s decision to forgo multiple high-profile ceremonies comes amid backlash surrounding resurfaced tweets containing racist and anti-Muslim sentiments. Some of the controversial posts include offensive remarks about George Floyd, whom she referred to as a “drug addict and a hustler,” as well as an insult directed at her Emilia Pérez co-star Selena Gomez, whom she once called a “rich rat” before they had met.

Following the controversy, Gascón deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account and issued a public apology. “As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain,” she stated.

Despite her apology, the backlash has been significant, and Netflix has reportedly distanced itself from her during the awards campaign. The streaming giant, which produced Emilia Pérez, has not funded her travel to the U.S. for promotional events. However, Gascón was still featured in a New York Times advertisement last month, and her image has appeared on billboards along Sunset Boulevard.

Support from Friends and Colleagues

Amidst the controversy, Gascón has found support from close friends, including Italian director Stefania Rossella Grassi and producer Melina Arena. Instead of attending the BAFTAs, the actress opted to spend time in Milan, Italy, where she was surrounded by longtime supporters.

Grassi, who directed Gascón in the 2019 short film Preludio, spoke highly of her friend. “I have known Karla for many years. She is strong and fragile at the same time. An immense talent, and an infinite heart. In my hard times, she never left me alone,” Grassi shared.

Expressing optimism about Gascón’s future, she added, “I trust that meritocratic America will welcome her on the night of the Oscars. She deserves the support of us directors who know her heart and have worked with her.”

Recognition from Emilia Pérez Cast and Crew

Despite the backlash, Gascón’s Emilia Pérez co-stars and director have continued to acknowledge her contributions to the film. During the BAFTAs, where the film won Best Film Not in the English Language, director Jacques Audiard made a point to mention her in his speech. “I also thank you, Karla Sofía, who I kiss,” he said in a public gesture of support.

Zoe Saldaña, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, also included Gascón in her speech. “I want to thank my wonderful cast—Karla, Selena, Adriana… Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds. And I hope that Emilia Pérez did something like this because voices need to be heard,” Saldaña stated.

Looking Ahead to the Oscars

With Emilia Pérez earning an impressive 13 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Gascón’s presence at the Academy Awards will undoubtedly be a major talking point. Whether her appearance at the ceremony will mark a turning point in her public reception remains to be seen.

For now, her decision to avoid the SAG Awards suggests she is treading carefully amid the controversy. With the Oscars just around the corner, all eyes will be on whether the industry and audiences will be ready to embrace her comeback—or if the fallout from her resurfaced tweets will continue to overshadow her historic nominations.

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