Netflix abandons Oscar hopeful over offensive posts

Netflix has dropped Oscar hopeful Karla Sofia Gascon, the star of Emilia Perez, from its high-profile Oscars campaign over her offensive social media posts.

Spanish actor Karla Sofia Gascon promoting Emilia Perez in Bogota, Colombia, last month. Picture: AFP

Netflix has dropped Karla Sofia Gascon, the star of Emilia Perez, from its high-profile Oscars campaign and distanced itself from the best actress nominee over her offensive social media posts, Hollywood trade outlets report.

Images of Gascon, who made history as the first openly transgender acting nominee in Academy Awards history, had adorned posters, billboards and advertisements for the musical film, which earned 13 Oscar nods.

But that campaign has ­abruptly changed tack, after old social media posts were uncovered and widely shared last week in which Gascon called Islam “an infection” and “deeply disgusting”. She also denigrated or mocked wide-ranging subjects, including diversity efforts, China and George Floyd, the black man whose 2020 killing by police spurred massive protests.

The Spanish star, 52, initially apologised and deactivated her account on X, but she soon reversed course by defending herself.

She told CNN on Tuesday that she was “not a racist” and that she would not withdraw from Oscar contention.

She blamed “cancel culture” in an Instagram post.

The Hollywood Reporter and Variety said streaming giant Netflix, which has invested heavily in hopes that Emilia Perez will provide its first best picture Oscar win, has dropped Gascon from all campaigning.

A Netflix promoting of the film contained an image of Zoe Saldana, the movie’s best supporting ­actress nominee.

Gascon will no longer attend events including Friday’s Critics Choice Awards gala as scheduled.

Netflix declined to comment.

Emilia Perez has been criticised for its depictions of Mexico and its drug war, its representation of trans issues and its use of AI to increase Gascon’s voice range in musical scenes.

AFP