Karla Sofia Gascon claims targeted campaign ruined her Oscar chances
What's the story
The star of Emilia Perez, Karla Sofia Gascon, has openly condemned a smear campaign against her after her recent Oscar snub.
The actor was a strong contender for an Academy Award, possibly becoming the first openly transgender winner. But her shot was derailed after journalist Sarah Hagi unearthed controversial social media posts dating back to 2016.
These included derogatory comments about Islam, George Floyd, the 2021 Oscars, etc.
Public response
'It's clear that there was a campaign against me'
While Gascon responded with regret initially, at a recent event, the trans actor seemed livid over the lost chance.
At a promotional event for her biographical book Lo que queda de mi (What's Left of Me), she opted to face the issue head-on.
"It's clear that there was a campaign against me and that they kept going until they got what they were after," she said.
She, however, did not provide evidence of a conspiracy.
No forgiveness
Gascon refuses to seek forgiveness for her actions
When asked if she felt forgiven for her controversial posts, Gascon responded, "No one has to forgive me for anything. If anyone feels offended by things I may have done in my life, let them come and tell me."
She continued, "They've said that I'm far-right or racist or whatever. But if there's one thing I've done all my life, it's that I've been against all this."
Company response
Netflix's stance on Gascon's controversial posts
During the backlash, Netflix, the distributor for Emilia Perez, first distanced itself from Gascon but invited her back later for the Oscars.
The streaming giant has not publicly condemned her tweets. Its first major comment on the issue came from chief content officer Bela Bajaria, who called it a "bummer" for the Emilia Perez campaign.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently said the company would work with Gascon again, stressing the importance of grace when people make mistakes.