Zoe Saldaña, renowned actress and star of the musical drama Emilia Pérez, recently addressed the public backlash surrounding her co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón. Gascón, a transgender actress who garnered acclaim for her role as the titular character in the film, faced intense scrutiny after controversial social media posts from her past resurfaced. These posts, some dating back to 2016, contained inflammatory remarks targeting various religious groups, including the Muslim community in her native Spain. Additionally, Gascón’s past comments regarding the death of George Floyd further fueled the controversy. Saldaña expressed her disappointment and sadness over the situation, firmly stating her disapproval of negative rhetoric towards any group of people and emphasizing her commitment to inclusivity.
Emilia Pérez tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader, played by Gascón, who undergoes a gender transition and fakes her death with the assistance of a lawyer, portrayed by Saldaña. Gascón’s performance in the film marked a historic moment, earning her nominations for Best Actress at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, a first for a transgender woman. However, the controversy surrounding Gascón’s past statements overshadowed these achievements and sparked a wider debate about accountability and representation.
Saldaña, while addressing the controversy, highlighted the positive and inclusive environment she experienced during the filming of Emilia Pérez. She emphasized the collaborative spirit and the shared commitment to racial, cultural, and gender equity among the cast and crew. Saldaña expressed her sadness at the setback caused by the controversy, but also thanked audiences for continuing to support the film and its message of change for marginalized communities. She reiterated the core values of love, respect, and curiosity that drove the creation of the film, emphasizing the importance of continuing to spread this message.
Following the resurgence of her controversial posts, Gascón issued a public apology through Netflix and deleted her X (formerly Twitter) account. She acknowledged the pain caused by her words, particularly as a member of a marginalized community herself. Gascón expressed remorse and reiterated her lifelong commitment to fighting for a better world, emphasizing her belief in the eventual triumph of good over evil. This apology, while a step towards accountability, did not entirely quell the criticism, particularly within the transgender community, where concerns about representation and the potential harm caused by Gascón’s past remarks remained.
The controversy surrounding Gascón added another layer to the already existing criticisms directed at Emilia Pérez. The film had previously faced backlash from Spanish-speaking audiences for perceived awkwardness in the songs and dialogue, as well as its representation of Mexico. Furthermore, the film’s absence from the GLAAD Media Awards nominations, a prestigious recognition for LGBTQ+ representation in media, underscored the complex reception of the film within the community. GLAAD, in a previous article, had described Emilia Pérez as “a step backward for trans representation,” further highlighting the film’s contentious status.
The criticisms from transgender viewers and critics centered on various aspects of the film, including what many perceived as an unrealistic portrayal of Emilia’s gender-affirming surgery and a broader lack of depth in understanding the transgender experience. Critic Drew Burnett Gregory, writing for Autostraddle, argued that the film’s portrayal of its titular character lacked depth and nuance, ultimately diminishing its overall impact. This sentiment was echoed by other critics, who felt the film missed an opportunity to offer a more insightful and authentic representation of transgender identity. The controversy surrounding Gascón, coupled with these existing criticisms, raised questions about the film’s overall impact and its contribution to the ongoing conversation about transgender representation in media.
