Director Jacques Audiard is speaking out about the controversy surrounding *Emilia Pérez* star Karla Sofía Gascón, and he’s not holding back his disappointment.
The French filmmaker, who earned widespread acclaim for his Oscar-nominated work on *Emilia Pérez*, voiced his frustration
and disbelief over the resurfacing of several of Gascón’s controversial social media posts.
In these posts, Gascón made inflammatory remarks about Muslim culture, George Floyd,
and even referred to her *Emilia Pérez* co-star, Selena Gomez, as a “rich rat” prior to being cast alongside her.
Audiard, clearly disturbed by the revelations, called her actions “inexcusable.”
Gascón, whose portrayal of a Mexican cartel leader transitioning into a woman in *Emilia Pérez* has earned her critical praise and recognition, now finds herself at the center of an escalating controversy. The 52-year-old actress, who made history as the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for an Oscar, has found herself in hot water after these resurfaced posts sparked backlash. While *Emilia Pérez* continues to generate excitement, particularly with its Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, Gascón’s involvement in the film has now been overshadowed by these troubling remarks.
In an interview with *Deadline* on Wednesday, Audiard expressed his deep disappointment in Gascón, stating that it’s difficult for him to look back on the time spent working with her in the film after learning about her past actions. He described the film’s set as having an “exceptional atmosphere” based on mutual trust and collaboration, but said that trust has been severely shaken due to Gascón’s hateful statements.
“When you have that kind of relationship and suddenly you read something that that person has said—things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated—of course, that relationship is affected. It’s as if you fall into a hole,” Audiard explained, adding that he has not communicated with Gascón since the posts resurfaced and, at this time, does not wish to do so. Audiard further stated that Gascón is currently on a “self-destructive approach” and that he is unable to intervene in her situation.
The director emphasized that Gascón’s actions were not just harmful to herself but to those around her, including the *Emilia Pérez* cast and crew. “She is harming people who were very close to her,” Audiard said, explaining that he believes Gascón needs space to reflect on her actions and take accountability for them. Audiard’s remarks reflect his deep sense of betrayal, as he had built a relationship with Gascón based on mutual respect and trust during the making of the film.
Amid the backlash, Gascón issued an apology and deactivated her social media account, formerly known as Twitter, where the controversial posts had been shared. In her apology, the Spanish actress insisted that she had “nothing to hide” and asked for guidance on how to move forward from the controversy, especially with the 2025 awards season in full swing. Gascón’s apology came on the heels of emotional interviews, including one on CNN, where she denied allegations of racism and stood firm on her Academy Award nomination. She addressed the controversy head-on, insisting that she is not a “victim” and asserting that she was misunderstood.
As Gascón grapples with the fallout, *Emilia Pérez* and its star-studded cast continue to be contenders for prestigious awards, including the Critics’ Choice Awards on February 7, the BAFTA Awards on February 16, and the Oscars on March 2. Gascón’s nomination has made history, but her involvement in the film now risks overshadowing her groundbreaking achievement as the first openly transgender performer to earn an Oscar nomination. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how Gascón moves forward in both her career and her personal reflection on the controversy that has threatened to derail her moment in the spotlight.
With the Oscars just around the corner, the situation remains fluid, and it remains to be seen how the public and the industry will respond to Gascón’s efforts to make amends and reclaim her narrative amidst the storm of criticism.
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