Unpacking the Emilia Pérez Controversies: How a 13-Time Oscar Nominee’s Best Picture Hopes Faded

The future looked bright for Emilia Pérez, the Spanish-language musical that stunned audiences with its ambitious storytelling and powerhouse performances. After securing big wins at the Golden Globes and earning a staggering 13 Oscar nominations, the film seemed destined for an impressive showing at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2. However, a series of controversies and resurfaced social media posts have derailed its once-promising trajectory, significantly diminishing its chances of taking home the coveted Best Picture award.

The Initial Momentum: A Cannes Sensation

When Emilia Pérez premiered at Cannes in May 2024, it received widespread acclaim. Critics praised its bold storytelling, musical elements, and the performances of its ensemble cast. The film’s mix of crime drama and musical theater, coupled with its themes of identity and transformation, made it stand out among its competitors.

Industry insiders quickly pegged it as a major awards season contender, and its presence at the Golden Globes only solidified that status. Zoe Saldaña took home the Best Supporting Actress award, and the film won in the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category. With such recognition, many believed Emilia Pérez had a serious shot at winning multiple Oscars, including Best Picture and Best International Feature Film.

However, things took a sharp turn when controversies surrounding the film—and specifically its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón—began to surface.

The Rise and Fall of an Oscar Favorite

Initially hailed as a cinematic triumph, Emilia Pérez had a stellar start to awards season. The film gained momentum after its Grand Jury Prize win at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it made history as the first movie in which an entire female-led ensemble—Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz—won the Best Actress honor collectively.

This early success translated into an impressive Oscar campaign, with nominations in categories such as Best Picture, Best Actress (Gascón), and Best Supporting Actress (Saldaña). However, as the film’s visibility increased, so did scrutiny of its cast and production. Controversies surrounding lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón became the focal point of backlash, leading to an unexpected shift in the film’s awards-season trajectory.

Karla Sofía Gascón’s Controversial Past Resurfaces

Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender performer nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, found herself at the center of a heated debate when old tweets resurfaced containing allegedly offensive remarks. Though some fans and critics argued that these statements were taken out of context, the backlash was swift and widespread.

The controversy placed the film in an uncomfortable position. With a growing number of industry figures distancing themselves from Gascón, some Academy voters began reconsidering their support for the movie. In an era where public perception plays a crucial role in awards campaigning, the controversy quickly turned from a minor hurdle into a full-blown crisis.

Industry Reactions and Fallout

Director Jacques Audiard, who had been riding the wave of positive momentum since Cannes, admitted in a recent interview that the atmosphere around Emilia Pérez had shifted drastically.

“The reactions now are not the reactions that we were having earlier,” he told Deadline in early February.

As the controversy deepened, industry insiders and critics weighed in. Some defended Gascón, emphasizing the importance of separating past mistakes from an artist’s present achievements. Others, however, pointed out that the Academy has increasingly been sensitive to social justice issues, making it difficult for the film to maintain its standing in the race for Best Picture.

How Emilia Pérez Compares to Other Oscar Controversies

Emilia Pérez is far from the only Oscar-nominated film facing controversy this season. Awards season has been riddled with scandals and PR nightmares:

• The Brutalist, another contender, was called out for allegedly using AI-generated dialogue to fine-tune Hungarian-language lines for its actors, including Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones.

• Fernanda Torres, a Best Actress nominee, had to apologize for wearing blackface in a 2008 comedy sketch, a revelation that sparked widespread backlash.

• Anora, another nominee, made headlines when its stars refused to work with an intimacy coordinator, raising concerns about ethical practices on set.

Despite these competing scandals, Emilia Pérez’s backlash appears to be the most damaging, especially given its initial frontrunner status.

Zoe Saldaña’s Best Supporting Actress Bid Still Strong

Despite the film’s diminishing Best Picture hopes, Zoe Saldaña remains a favorite for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance has been universally praised, and many industry experts still predict she will take home the Oscar in her category. If she wins, it will be a significant milestone in her career, further cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and talented actresses.

Can Emilia Pérez Still Win Best International Feature Film?

While its Best Picture prospects have dimmed, Emilia Pérez still has a strong chance of winning Best International Feature Film. The Academy has historically been more forgiving in this category when controversies arise, focusing primarily on a film’s artistic merits rather than public perception.

However, its path to victory isn’t guaranteed. Tough competition from other international contenders, including The Zone of Interest and Perfect Days, could make for a tighter race than initially expected.

The Final Verdict: What This Means for the Oscars

The Emilia Pérez debacle serves as yet another reminder of how unpredictable awards season can be. While the film was once seen as a sure bet for Oscar glory, its campaign has faltered under the weight of controversy.

Even if it doesn’t take home Best Picture, its groundbreaking achievements—including its diverse representation and bold storytelling—remain a landmark moment for Spanish-language cinema. Regardless of the outcome, Emilia Pérez has left an undeniable mark on the industry, proving that conversations around inclusion, controversy, and artistic merit continue to shape Hollywood’s biggest night.

A Lesson in Awards Season Politics

The downfall of Emilia Pérez’s Oscar momentum serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of modern awards campaigning. In an era where social media scrutiny, industry politics, and cultural conversations shape Oscar outcomes as much as the films themselves, even the strongest contenders can find themselves in trouble.

Whether or not Emilia Pérez takes home multiple Oscars, its journey from festival darling to controversy magnet is a reminder that in Hollywood, the race is never just about the movies—it’s about the stories told on and off the screen.