Karla Sofia Gascón, the lead actress in Netflix’s award-winning Emilia Pérez, is speaking out against the backlash the film has received, criticizing both online critics and broader discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Gascón addressed the mixed responses to the film, which has drawn criticism from multiple angles. “The world needs real people, not robots,” she said, adding with a smile that her decision to remain authentic and not “play the game” has likely contributed to her growing popularity.
The film, which focuses on the story of a trans woman, has stirred controversy. Gascón described the criticism as part of a “negative, nasty campaign” driven by those uncomfortable with the film’s themes. “They hate difference. They want to control people’s bodies because that’s a way to control their minds,” she stated.
The film has faced criticism not only from outside the LGBTQ+ community but from within it as well. Some critics, such as Juan Barquin, have called Emilia Pérez “a regressive picture masquerading as progressive,” while Drew Burnett Gregory pointed out that it “hits just about every trans trope you can imagine.” However, others, like Mey Rude of Out, praised the film for its “humor, levity, and curiosity.”
Gascón did not hold back in her response to the backlash: “Being LGBTQ, having those labels, does not remove your stupidity. What bothers me is that the people saying things like that are just sitting at home doing nothing. If you don’t like it, go make your own movie. Go create the representation you want to see.”
The actress also defended the film’s portrayal of trans experiences, highlighting their diversity. “The trans experience is not the same for everyone—my trans experience is different from someone else’s,” she explained.
