The 2025 Oscars have been overshadowed by controversy surrounding *Emilia Pérez*, a crime musical about a transgender drug lord that initially dominated awards season with 13 nominations. While the film made history with Karla Sofía Gascón becoming the first openly transgender Best Actress nominee, its Oscar prospects have been severely damaged by a combination of cultural backlash and personal scandals.
### Controversies Hurting Its Chances
Critics, including Mexican viewers and LGBTQ+ advocates, slammed the film for relying on stereotypes. Groups like GLAAD called it a “step backward for trans representation,” arguing it recycled outdated tropes about deception and violence within the community[2][5]. Meanwhile, Mexican audiences criticized its portrayal of cartel culture as reductive and exploitative[2][4].
Gascón faced intense backlash after old posts surfaced showing her mocking Muslims, George Floyd, and body-shaming Adele. Despite issuing non-apologies and deactivating her accounts, the scandal dominated headlines. Co-stars Zoe Saldaña and director Jacques Audiard publicly distanced themselves, with Audiard calling her behavior “unacceptable”[2][4][5].
According to *The Hollywood Reporter*, many Oscar voters now view the film as “toxic” due to Gascón’s actions. While the film remains a contender in technical categories like Best Original Song or Supporting Actress (Saldaña), its Best Picture and Best Actress chances have cratered. Notably, Gascón skipped major pre-Oscar ceremonies like the SAG Awards, signaling a retreat from the spotlight[2][5].
### Historical Context
Past controversial films like *Green Book* (2018) and *Bohemian Rhapsody* (2018) still won Oscars despite backlash. However, *Emilia Pérez*’s dual scandals—centered on its star and its themes—make it uniquely vulnerable. Unlike *Green Book*, which faced criticism largely confined to social media, *Emilia Pérez*’s controversies have penetrated mainstream discourse, with even Netflix’s content chief calling the fallout “a bummer”[4].
### The Bottom Line
While the film’s 13 nominations reflect initial industry enthusiasm, the compounding controversies have likely doomed its chances in major categories. The backlash highlights Hollywood’s ongoing struggle to balance progressive storytelling with authentic representation—a tension that’s now playing out in real time at the Oscars.
