The Oscars season is buzzing, but the path to glory hasn’t been smooth for Netflix this year.
With 13 nominations, “Emilia Pérez” stands out as a leading contender. The film has made headlines, especially since Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of the show, found herself at the center of a social media storm due to some past comments that stirred controversy.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, shared her thoughts on the issue during an interview on “The Town” podcast. She expressed disappointment, emphasizing the hard work of everyone involved in the film.
Gascón plays a Mexican cartel leader navigating a complex journey around gender identity. Her role has earned acclaim, making her the first openly transgender performer nominated for an acting Oscar.
However, things took a turn when journalist Sarah Hagi unearthed old tweets where Gascón made derogatory remarks about various communities. In response, she deactivated her account and issued an apology. Meanwhile, others from the film distanced themselves from her amid the backlash, and Gascón was notably absent from promotional efforts.
When asked if Netflix plans to scrutinize talent more closely in the future, Bajaria acknowledged the challenges. She noted the impracticality of reviewing the social media of countless individuals involved in their projects, but also recognized the need to rethink their processes.
Gascón’s co-stars have also weighed in. Selena Gomez expressed mixed emotions, noting that while some excitement has faded, she remains proud of the work they accomplished. She spoke about her feelings at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Zoe Saldaña shared her sadness as well, mentioning her disappointment during a conversation on the “Awards Circuit” podcast.
