Washington [US] : Actress Karla Sofia Gascon, who made headlines as the first trans woman nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, spoke candidly about her future, the global climate for the transgender community, and her transformative experience working on the film Emilia Perez, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Gascon expressed optimism about returning to the United States, despite acknowledging potential challenges. Speaking in Spanish (later translated), she said,
“I’m looking forward to it. The question is whether, when I get to the United States, everything will be okay.”
Referencing concerns over political decisions affecting the LGBTQ+ community, she added,
“If they don’t let me in or they don’t let me work because they consider that I am not a sufficiently qualified person or they want to discriminate against me because of my sexuality, then it will be very difficult. But I hope so. I’m looking forward to doing millions of things in the United States because I think it’s a wonderful country full of something that we have all wished for in this world, which is freedom — and we are losing it.”
Gascon’s comments come after she faced a significant backlash when past tweets from 2016 containing anti-Islamic and racist sentiments resurfaced. Journalist Sarah Hagi had uncovered the posts, which also included controversial remarks about George Floyd and the LGBTQ+ community. Gascon has since apologized, expressing remorse and a commitment to growth and learning.
Reflecting on her experience with Emilia Perez, Gascon said,
“It has changed radically because it was a film that, for me, is already part of the history of cinema and that is going to be a cult film. Obviously, that brings with it an implicit responsibility, especially after everything that has happened around the film and around trans people.”
She added,
“We are in a very complicated and difficult time in which I sincerely feel like one of the first victims of all this hate.”
Looking ahead, Gascon has an array of international projects lined up. She will star in the Italian film The Life Lift, portraying a psychiatrist who represents both “the devil and god.” She also has upcoming projects in Argentina, Spain, and a French film centered on a blues singer’s attempt to adopt a girl from a refugee camp.
The interview took place during Latin America’s 12th edition of the Platino Awards, held in Madrid, Spain, where Gascon’s presence further highlighted the growing global conversation around representation and resilience in cinema.