Karla Sofía Gascón wasn't current on the 2025 BAFTA Movie Awards, however she was nonetheless entrance of thoughts for the solid and crew of Emilia Pérez.

Gascón has been beneath hearth since racist and Islamophobic social media posts that she had made prior to now resurfaced in January. Regardless of the still-raging controversy, Emilia Pérez filmmaker Jacques Audiard and star Zoe Saldaña, talked about Gascón whereas accepting statuettes on the BAFTA stage.

"Above all, I want to thank all of the great artists who introduced this movie to life and who’re right here with us tonight,” stated Audiard, talking via an interpreter as he accepted the wine for Finest Movie Not within the English Language. "My pricey Zoe, my pricey Selena, Giorgini, Paul, Juliet, Camille, Clement, Julia and your group, but in addition you, my pricey Karla Sofía, that I kiss. I’m deeply pleased with what we achieved collectively. Lengthy reside Emilia Pérez!"

Later within the evening, Saldaña took the stage to ship an emotional speech after profitable Finest Supporting Actress. She thanks Gascón as nicely, whereas crediting a number of collaborators on the movie.

"This was a inventive problem of a lifetime. How do you start to even strategy a movie that simply defies categorization? You begin by taking the lead with Jacques Audiard,” Saldaña stated. “I need to thank my great solid, Karla, Selena, Adriana…. Movies are supposed to alter hearts and problem minds. And I hope that Emilia Pérez did one thing like this, please, as a result of voices should be heard.”

2025 Oscar nominations: See the full list, from Ariana Grande and Timothée Chalamet to Emilia Pérez domination

Gascón, who made historical past as the primary brazenly transgender artist to be nominated for an Oscars performing class, has apologized for her racially-charged social meda posts, however the fallout has been swift. There have been requires the actress to withdraw from the Oscars race, which she has no intention to oblige. "I’ve not dedicated any crime nor have I harmed anybody," Gascón advised CNN. "I’m neither racist nor something that each one these folks have tried to make others consider I’m."

Nonetheless Gascón has taken a step again from selling the movie within the leadup to the Academy Awards, a change that comes after the Emilia Perez filmmaker and stars made an effort to distance themselves from her.

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"It's very laborious for me to suppose again to the work I did with Karla Sofía," Audiard told Deadline earlier this month. "The belief we shared, the distinctive ambiance that we had on the set that was certainly based mostly on belief. And when you’ve that sort of relationship and abruptly you learn one thing that that particular person has stated, issues which might be completely hateful and worthy of being hated, in fact that relationship is affected. It’s as should you fall right into a gap. As a result of what Karla Sofía stated is inexcusable."

Saldaña has made it clear that she is "unhappy" and "disenchanted" by the ordeal, including, "I can't communicate for different folks's actions. All I can attest to is my expertise, and by no means in 1,000,000 years did I ever consider that we might be right here."

For her half, Gascón was fast to apologize within the wake of the backlash.

"I need to acknowledge the dialog round my previous social media posts which have brought on harm," she advised The Hollywood Reporter in January. "As somebody in a marginalized group, I do know this struggling all too nicely and I’m deeply sorry to these I’ve brought on ache. All my life I’ve fought for a greater world. I consider gentle will all the time conquer darkness."

Selena Gomez says 'some of the magic has disappeared' amid Karla Sofía Gascón controversy, but she is 'proud' of Emilia Pérez

Along with its two BAFTA wins, Emilia Pérez has gained the Cannes Jury Prize, and 4 Golden Globes, together with Finest Movement Image – Musical or Comedy. It acquired 13 nominations on the upcoming Oscars, together with Finest Image.

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