The Oscars are always full of surprises, but a new controversy is stealing the spotlight this year. Karla Sofía Gascón is at the center of an online firestorm after a recent interview sparked questions about the Academy Awards’ campaign rules. The Spanish actress, nominated for Best Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, made headlines when she claimed that people associated with fellow nominee Fernanda Torres had spoken negatively about her and her film.
However, she later retracted her remarks, saying she was addressing the general hate speech she receives online.
Speaking to Brazil’s Folha de São Paulo, Gascón expressed her concerns about what she perceives as online smear campaigns.
“I don’t like that there’s a social media team working around these people who are trying to discredit my work and my film,”
She said.
“You will never see me speaking negatively about Fernanda Torres or her movie, but I do see many people associated with her who talk badly about me and Emilia Pérez.”
Her comments quickly went viral, with some accusing her of breaking the Academy’s strict campaign rules. According to the Academy’s regulations, anyone involved in an Oscar-nominated film is prohibited from making negative or derogatory remarks about competing films or nominees.
As the controversy gained traction, Gascón released a statement clarifying her words.
“In my recent comments, I was referencing the toxicity and violent hate speech on social media that I sadly continue to experience,”
She said.
“No one directly associated with Fernanda Torres has been anything but supportive and hugely generous.”
She further praised Torres, calling her a “wonderful ally” and stating she is an “enormous fan” of the Brazilian star.
The Academy’s rules are clear: nominees and their teams cannot make derogatory statements about competitors. If a violation is found, consequences can range from a warning to disqualification or even suspension from the Academy.
After a review of the interview transcript, a source told Rolling Stone that Gascón did not violate any Academy rules. “There is no campaign promotional regulation violation,” the source stated. Since Gascón did not directly insult Torres, her film, or her performance, her comments do not fall under the Academy’s definition of disparagement.
While the controversy continued to grow, Torres took the high road. She posted a message on social media urging kindness and support.
“Everybody deserves our affection. Let’s not feed hate,”
She wrote.
Torres also clarified that she has no personal issues with Gascón, calling her a “generous and talented woman.” Her graceful response earned praise from fans and industry professionals, who admired her ability to handle the situation with positivity.
Despite this, some Torres fans expressed disappointment and confusion. Just days before the controversy, Torres had shared a touching story about Gascón introducing her at a Hollywood party, making her feel welcomed in a room full of industry elites.
Some even suggested that Emilia Pérez should be removed from the Oscars race. The situation has also reignited discussions about social media’s role in awards campaigns. With so much online chatter, separating genuine criticism from strategic attacks is becoming harder.
Beyond the interview drama, Emilia Pérez has faced heavy scrutiny since its release. While praised for its ambition, the film has been criticized for portraying Mexican culture and the trans experience.
Gascón, a Spanish actress, plays the role of Manitas, a pre-transition transgender Mexican cartel leader. Critics have pointed out that French director Jacques Audiard does not speak Spanish, filmed outside of Mexico, and did not cast Mexican-born actresses in the film’s three main roles.