Selena Gomez has finally addressed the controversy surrounding her Emilia Pérez co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, who has faced backlash over resurfaced racist and Islamophobic social media posts. Despite the uproar, Selena made it clear that she has “no regrets” about being part of the Oscar-nominated film.
Speaking at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Sunday night, Selena responded to a moderator’s question about how she was handling the chaos surrounding Emilia Pérez’s Academy Awards campaign. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she remained firm in her stance, saying, “I’m really good… Some of the magic has disappeared, but I choose to continue to be proud of what I’ve done. I’m just grateful and live with no regrets.”
Selena doubled down on her support for the film, adding, “And I would do this movie over and over again if I could.” Her statement was met with applause from the audience, and a video of the moment has since gone viral on social media.
Karla Sofía Gascón’s controversy
Karla, who plays the titular role in Emilia Pérez, became the first openly transgender performer to receive an Oscar nomination in an acting category. However, her historic achievement has been overshadowed by past social media posts that included racially charged remarks about Black people, immigrants, and Islam. The controversy erupted in late January when the posts resurfaced, prompting widespread backlash.
Following the outrage, Karla issued multiple apologies, including an hour-long interview with CNN en Español, in which she attempted to defend herself against accusations of racism and xenophobia. “I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job, and what is being valued is my acting work,” she stated. “And I cannot renounce a nomination either because I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone. I am not a racist, nor am I anything that all these people have taken it upon themselves to try to make others believe that I am.”
Zoe Saldana and Jacques Audiard distance themselves
While Selena remains unwavering in her support for the film, other key figures from Emilia Pérez have distanced themselves from Karla’s comments. Co-star Zoe Saldana expressed her disappointment, stating, “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group.” She made the remarks during a Q&A session in London.
Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard has cut ties with Karla, making it clear that he no longer associates with her. In response, Karla announced that she would be stepping back from speaking about the film altogether.
Moving forward
Despite the controversy, Emilia Pérez continues to be a major contender this awards season. Selena’s decision to stay focused on the film rather than the backlash reflects her commitment to the project. As awards night approaches, the debate surrounding Karla’s past comments and her place in the Oscars race is unlikely to fade anytime soon.