Jacques Audiard, director of Emilia Pérez, has publicly distanced himself from lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón amidst backlash over her past social media comments. With the film earning 13 Oscar nominations, including nods for Zoe Saldaña and Audiard himself, Gascón’s prospects seem to be waning, and she is reportedly not attending upcoming industry events.
In a candid interview with Deadline, Audiard expressed his deep disappointment with Gascón, criticizing her past statements as hateful and damaging. He explained that their once strong professional relationship had been tainted by her comments, which he deemed inexcusable.
“It’s hard for me to reflect on my work with Karla Sofía now. We shared a great deal of trust on set, but when you learn that someone you worked with has said such harmful things, it’s impossible not to be affected,” Audiard said. “What she said is unforgivable.”
Audiard also revealed that he has not communicated with Gascón since the controversy and has no intention of doing so. He expressed confusion over why she continues to harm herself and those around her, particularly people like Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, who were close to her.
He also criticized Gascón’s public response, noting that she seemed to be portraying herself as a victim rather than acknowledging the hurt caused by her words.
Despite the controversy, Netflix continues to push Emilia Pérez for awards consideration, though Gascón’s absence from promotional events signals a clear divide within the film’s team.
