Karla Sofía Gascón has received her first award of the pre-Oscar season, a recognition that is particularly meaningful given the ongoing controversy. The actress won the Critics Choice Award 2025 in the Best Song category for El Mal, a piece performed alongside Zoe Saldaña and French singer-songwriter Camille in the film Emilia Pérez. This honor comes at a sensitive time for Gascón, who has faced backlash due to the resurfacing of past social media comments. As a result, Netflix has chosen to distance her from the film's promotional activities. Despite the controversy, her talent continues to shine, and she has high expectations this awards season, with nominations including Best Actress at the Oscars and a competition for Best European Film at the Goya Awards, taking place tonight.
The song, composed by Clément Ducol and Camille, triumphed over works from well-known artists like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Maren Morris. "El Mal would not be what it is without your performance," Camille remarked when accepting the award, though she did not mention Karla Sofía directly. Notably, Gascón was absent from the ceremony, a detail that did not go unnoticed.
Jacques Audiard, the director of Emilia Pérez, expressed disappointment regarding the situation, criticizing her continued presence in the awards circuit. "It's a self-destructive attitude that I can't interfere with, and I really don't understand why it continues," the French filmmaker stated.
As the first openly trans woman nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category, Gascón addressed the controversy on her social media, saying, "I'm experiencing an emotional rollercoaster." She described herself as a victim of "cancel culture," reflecting on past challenges during her transition and her quest for validation. However, she asserted that she has found her footing: "I'm simply seeking the freedom to exist without fear, to create art without barriers, and to move forward with my new life."
In a recent interview with CNN en Español, she defended her nomination and her role in Emilia Pérez, stating, "I can't renounce the nomination because what is being evaluated is my acting performance. I haven't committed any crime or harmed anyone." She also criticized the industry and media for overshadowing her career, asking, "How can I move forward?"
Goya Awards: A Significant Night Without Gascón
As the controversy unfolds, attention is turning to the Goya Awards, taking place tonight in Granada. Emilia Pérez is nominated for Best European Film, but Gascón will not attend the ceremony. The French production company 'Why Not' has decided that if the film wins, Spanish distributors Wanda Films and Elástica Films will accept the award on her behalf.
Initially, the Academy of Cinema had proposed that Gascón present one of the night’s awards, but she declined due to prior commitments in California during the awards season. Following the emergence of the controversy, her attendance was completely ruled out.
Voting for the Goya Awards closed before the controversy regarding the actress's comments became public, leaving unanswered questions about how this situation might affect the film’s recognition in future awards.