Spanish Trans Actress Karla Sofía Gascón, Star of ‘Emilia Pérez,’ Talks About Her Oscar Chances and Transphobia

Karla Sofía Gascón is causing quite a stir with her performance in the movie “Emilia Pérez,” which has garnered both significant acclaim and controversy for her portrayal. In this film, she takes on the role of Manitas, a former Mexican drug lord who undergoes a transformation to become Emilia, a woman embarking on a fresh beginning.

Her depiction has garnered acclaim, yet the harsh criticism she faces online is equally pronounced. Numerous messages directed at her contain threats, derogatory comments, and intolerance towards transgender individuals. In spite of this, Gascón accepts the negativity, using it as motivation, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

She finds that it boosts her determination to persist, regardless of becoming the top adversary for certain individuals.

The film is picking up steam, and there’s a lot of talk suggesting she could receive an Oscar nomination—an achievement that would make her history as the first openly transgender actress to win. What sets her apart isn’t just her acting skills, but the movie itself, which explores themes such as transition and self-identity within the context of Mexican cartels.

The film has drawn criticism from various quarters, including far-right commentators. Moreover, when Gascón was honored with an acting prize at Cannes, there were protests in France. A notable political figure questioned the concept of a transgender individual winning the best actress award. In response, Gascón took legal action against the sexist comment.

In conversation, Gascón discusses how she landed the role following the director, Jacques Audiard, having a hard time finding a suitable actor for the part initially. Originally, the script had been written with younger actors in mind; however, upon discovering Gascón, the entire dynamic of the film changed.

Apart from contributing her unique perspectives, she played a significant role in molding Emilia’s narrative, ensuring it resonated genuinely by emphasizing her personal battle with gender dysphoria instead of merely employing her transformation as a storyline element.

Although the movie tackles heavy subjects like death and the emotional challenges of transitioning, Gascón feels that embodying Emilia, a character striving for forgiveness, transcends merely acting—it’s deeply personal to her.

In Manitas’ part, she found it less challenging due to its strong, dramatic impact; however, portraying Emilia demanded a more nuanced and powerful performance. Gascón accepted this leading role with conviction, understanding that she needed to assert control and establish herself in Hollywood, willing to test the boundaries even with her fellow actors.

Despite encountering much hostility, she maintains her position, asserting that criticism from internet personalities doesn’t faze her. Her primary goal remains to create the best movie possible, irrespective of any negativity. For a more comprehensive read, delve into this intriguing and enlightening interview. [Provided Link]

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2025-01-11 20:43