Oscar-nominated transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón has issued a public apology following the resurfacing of controversial social media posts containing offensive remarks. These posts, which appeared on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, included comments perceived as racist, anti-Muslim, and homophobic. The actress took down several tweets dating back from 2019 to 2021 after they were highlighted by Sarah Hagi, a Muslim Canadian journalist.
Gascón, who broke barriers in 2023 by becoming the first transgender actress to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award, has been a notable figure in the entertainment industry. She was recognized for her role in "Emilia Pérez," a Netflix dramatic musical about a Mexican drug lord who comes out as transgender.
Past Comments Under Scrutiny
Among the comments in question, Gascón reportedly criticized Islam in a post referencing a violent event in France, stating, "New attack in France, beheadings in Nice by now of these r**arded followers of Allah. How many time will we have to expel these madmen from Europe until we realize their religion in INCOMPATIBLE with Western values. We do not learn. Thank you [anti-LGBTQ+ Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan."
Another tweet sarcastically remarked on gender dynamics in Islam, saying, "Islam is marvelous, without any machismo. Women are respected, and when they are so respected they are left with a little squared hole on their faces for their eyes to be visible and their mouths, but only if she behaves. Although they dress this way for their own enjoyment. How DEEPLY DISGUSTING OF HUMANITY."
Gascón also commented on a public display of affection between genderfluid and pansexual pop singer Miley Cyrus and reality TV personality Kaitlynn Carter, labeling it as "evil, horrible, unnatural, lesbian perversion, they are going to hell."
Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Gascón tweeted about the subsequent protests. "I really think that very few people ever cared about George Floyd, a drug addict swindler, but his death has served to once again demonstrate that there are people who still consider black people to be monkeys Without rights and consider policemen to be assassins. They’re all wrong," she stated.
In 2021, Gascón commented on the Oscars, saying, "More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films, I didn’t know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration or the 8M. Apart from that, an ugly, ugly gala."
Response and Apology
In light of these revelations, Gascón expressed remorse in a statement to Variety, saying, "I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness."
"Emilia Pérez" was a standout at the Academy Awards, garnering 13 nominations, the most for any film that year. This achievement also marked it as the most-nominated international feature in Oscars history. In May 2024, Gascón made history again by winning the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actress award, the first for a transgender woman at the event. Despite her triumphs, her past comments have sparked significant discussion within both the LGBT and broader communities.
Following her Cannes win, Gascón faced transphobic criticism from French far-right politician Marion Maréchal, who misgendered her in a post on X. Gascón responded on Instagram, writing, "I’ve decided not to get into controversy with anyone. I’ve been battling on the front line for too long, now I’m just going to let my work do the talking." She concluded with, "For the moment there you have this PALM OF GOLD TO A WOMAN, AN ACTRESS who gives all her soul in every job."
Gascón's journey highlights the complexities and challenges faced by individuals in the public eye, particularly those from marginalized communities. Her apologies come amidst a broader dialogue about accountability and the impact of public statements.
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