Karla Sofia Gascon, renowned for her role in Emilia Perez, will not be present at this year’s BAFTA Awards on Monday, February 17 (IST). Meanwhile, co-stars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana are set to attend the prestigious event, creating a buzz of excitement among fans and attendees. Gascon, who made history as the first openly trans actress to earn a BAFTA nomination, has been absent from several award shows following the resurfacing of her racially insensitive past social media posts.
Her withdrawal from the BAFTAs comes amid ongoing backlash ignited by her controversial comments, particularly a tweet criticizing the diversity of the 2021 Oscars ceremony. “More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films. I didn’t know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration, or the 8M. Apart from that, an ugly, ugly gala,” she posted on X. These remarks were met with outrage, particularly as they followed her derogatory comments regarding George Floyd, which many deemed unacceptable.
As the British Academy prepares for the event, they have announced an impressive list of guest presenters, which features numerous acclaimed artists, including Adam Scott, Anna Kendrick, and Lupita Nyong’o. The focus will also be on the glitzy appearances of Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana, whose participation brings hope for a powerful reaffirmation of talent and representation in the industry.
The absence of Karla Sofia Gascon at the BAFTAs highlights the complexities and challenges of maintaining public image in the age of social media scrutiny. With her co-stars stepping into the limelight, the event will not only showcase artistic achievements but also serve as a testament to resilience amidst controversy.
