Netflix Stands by "Emilia Pérez" Amid Controversy Surrounding Its Star
Netflix has reaffirmed its support for the film Emilia Pérez, despite the swirling controversy involving its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón. In a recent episode of The Town podcast, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, addressed the situation publicly for the first time. Bajaria expressed her disappointment that the film’s achievements have been overshadowed by the scandal, stating, “It’s really a bummer for 100 very incredibly talented people who made an amazing movie. If you look at the nominations and all of these sort of awards that it’s received, I think it’s such a bummer that it’s distracted from that.” Her comments underscore Netflix’s commitment to the film and its creators, even as the storm surrounding Gascón continues to gain traction.
The Film and Its Success
Emilia Pérez had initially been positioned as a major player in this year’s awards season. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the musical crime caper tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader, played by Gascón, who undergoes gender affirmation surgery with the help of an attorney, portrayed by Zoe Saldaña. After living as her true self, the character seeks to reunite with her grieving wife, played by Selena Gomez, who had assumed her spouse was dead, and their children. The film premiered to critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in May, prompting Netflix to acquire it for a reported $12 million. Emilia Pérez went on to win four Golden Globe awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and became a frontrunner for the Oscars, earning 13 nominations. Gascón made history by becoming the first openly transgender woman to be nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
Controversy Erupts
Despite its early success, Emilia Pérez and its star soon found themselves at the center of two major media firestorms. The first controversy arose when Gascón accused the team of fellow Oscar nominee Fernanda Torres of speaking negatively about her and the film. Her comments, made in an interview with the Brazilian outlet Folha de S. Paulo, raised concerns about potential violations of the Academy’s promotional campaign rules. Just days later, a series of years-old X (formerly Twitter) posts from Gascón’s account resurfaced, containing inflammatory remarks about Muslims, Jews, George Floyd, and Oscars diversity, among other sensitive topics. Gascón apologized for both her accusations against Torres and her controversial social media posts, eventually deactivating her X account. However, the damage was already done, as Netflix quietly removed her from its promotional materials.
The Backlash and Netflix’s Response
The fallout from Gascón’s remarks has had far-reaching consequences. While Emilia Pérez remains a notable achievement in Netflix’s slate of original content, the controversy has undeniably tarnished its Oscar prospects. Bajaria acknowledged the impact of the scandal but praised the film itself, calling it “incredible and bold.” She emphasized Netflix’s pride in the project and its team, stating, “If you ask me today, everything I know, we would still buy the movie today. That movie is incredible and it’s creative and it’s bold — that’s what you want, you want to take those big swings.” Bajaria also hinted that the streaming giant would be reevaluating its process for vetting the social media presence of its actors and creators in the future.
Saldaña and Gomez, who are both associated with the film, have additionally addressed Gascón’s comments without directly naming her. While Saldaña remains a strong contender for Best Supporting Actress, the odds of Emilia Pérez winning at the Oscars next month have diminished significantly. Despite this, Bajaria commended the “incredible campaign” Netflix ran to promote the film, highlighting the company’s commitment to standing behind its projects, even in the face of adversity.
Looking Ahead and Learning from the Controversy
As the dust settles on this controversy, Netflix is likely to emerge with a renewed focus on how it handles talent and their public personas. While the company has long championed diversity and inclusivity, the fallout from Gascón’s remarks serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in navigating the personal and professional lives of its creators. Bajaria’s comments suggest that Netflix will take this experience as an opportunity to refine its strategies, ensuring that the company continues to support bold and innovative storytelling while also addressing the challenges that come with it.
In the end, Emilia Pérez remains a testament to the power of creative risk-taking and the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices. While the controversy surrounding Gascón has undeniably shifted the narrative around the film, it does not diminish the hard work and talent of the 100 individuals who brought this story to life. As Netflix moves forward, the company’s commitment to bold and daring content will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of entertainment.
