Overview

• Netflix's Emilia Pérez, a musical about a transgender Mexican drug lord, was once a major awards contender but has faced backlash following offensive tweets from its star, Karla Sofía Gascón.
• Gascón's past social media posts, which included racist and Islamophobic remarks, have led to widespread condemnation, multiple apologies, and her removal from promotional campaigns by Netflix.
• The controversy has overshadowed the film’s achievements, including record-breaking Oscar nominations, and has led to accusations of trans erasure as Gascón is sidelined in marketing efforts.
• The scandal has disrupted the Oscars race, with no clear frontrunner emerging as voters distance themselves from Emilia Pérez and consider 'safer' alternatives like The Brutalist and A Complete Unknown.
• The situation has sparked broader criticism of Hollywood's approach to progressive storytelling and its vulnerability to PR crises, highlighting tensions within the industry.