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Karla Sofía Gascón has entered the Dolby Theatre — and Conan O’Brien couldn’t wait to crack a joke at her expense.

Despite the recent controversy, the “Emilia Pérez” star, 52, attended the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, in Los Angeles.

The Oscars host poked fun at her almost career-ending saga in his monologue as she was sitting in the star-studded audience.


  Karla Sofía Gascón attends the 2025 Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025, in LA. REUTERS Karla Sofía Gascón attends the 2025 Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025, in LA. REUTERS

“I loved ‘Anora.’ I really did,” O’Brien said of the Best Picture nominee. “‘Anora’ uses the f word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist: ‘You tweeted WHAT?'”

As the audience slow-clapped, O’Brien danced a jig and added, “Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight and Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, remember my name is Jimmy Kimmel.”

The crowd laughed as the camera panned to the star, who smiled and bowed her head in appreciation.

Gascón is up for Best Actress at the coveted award show, making her the first openly transgender star to be nominated. Her co-star, Zoe Saldaña, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.


  Karla Sofía Gascón REUTERS Karla Sofía Gascón REUTERS

  Conan O’Brien poked fun at Gascón’s almost career-ending saga in his monologue. Getty Images Conan O’Brien poked fun at Gascón’s almost career-ending saga in his monologue. Getty Images

“Emilia Pérez” is leading the 2025 Oscars race with 13 nominations, coming up only one nod shy of tying the record for most-ever nominations for a movie. The project also marks the most-ever nods for a film predominantly in a non-English language.

The Netflix musical thriller follows a Mexican drug cartel leader (Gascón) who transitions into a woman.

In January, Gascón’s old tweets were resurfaced by writer and X user Sarah Hagi.

One of her 2020 tweets, posted in Spanish and translated by USA Today, read: “Sorry, is it just me or are there more Muslims in Spain? Every time I pick up my daughter from school there are more women with their hair covered and their skirts down to their heels. Next year instead of English, we’ll have to teach Arabic.”


  The main cast of “Emilia Pérez” at the 2025 Golden Globes. The movie won the Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy category. AFP via Getty Images The main cast of “Emilia Pérez” at the 2025 Golden Globes. The movie won the Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy category. AFP via Getty Images

Gascón issued an apology and deactivated her X account shortly after. The Spanish star issued a second statement on Instagram, saying she has “nothing to hide” and asking how she should “move forward” amid the awards season.

In February, “Emilia Pérez” director Jacques Audiard called Gascón’s tweets, including criticisms of Muslim culture and George Floyd’s death, “inexcusable.” 

“It’s very hard for me to think back to the work I did with Karla Sofía,” said Audiard. “The exceptional atmosphere that we had on the set was indeed based on trust.”

He added, “And when you have that kind of relationship and suddenly you read something that that person has said, things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated, of course that relationship is affected. It’s as if you fall into a hole.”

Saldaña, 46, has also spoken out, telling Variety that the news made her “sad.”


  Karla Sofía Gascón in New York City on Dec. 3, 2024. GC Images Karla Sofía Gascón in New York City on Dec. 3, 2024. GC Images

“I’m sad. Time and time again, that’s the word because that is the sentiment that has been living in my chest since everything happened,” she explained at the time. “I’m also disappointed. I can’t speak for other people’s actions. All I can attest to is my experience, and never in a million years did I ever believe that we would be here.”

Gascón discussed her decision to attend the Oscars with The Hollywood Reporter in February. “I’m not sure how I feel, but I’m grateful to be back. I’m grateful to all those who’ve believed in me — to Netflix, the production company and my colleagues. We can close this beautiful and difficult path that began three years ago,” she said.

Saldaña, meanwhile, took home the trophy at the 2025 SAG Awards for Best Supporting Actress but did not mention her co-star during her acceptance speech.


  Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón arrives for the media presentation of “Emilia Perez” in Bogota, Colombia, on Jan. 17, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón arrives for the media presentation of “Emilia Perez” in Bogota, Colombia, on Jan. 17, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

  Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón in a scene from the movie “Emilia Pérez.” ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón in a scene from the movie “Emilia Pérez.” ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

“To be in this room…this is my community, this is my circus,” she said while accepting the award. “Thank you to SAG-AFTRA. I got my first SAG card in 1998. I didn’t even know what SAG was. I am grateful that my mother and father and sisters looked it up and helped me educate myself to know what it means to be a part of a union that protects me so I can make a living out of this crazy industry.”

“I am proud to be a part of a union that allows me to be who I am. I’ve never been questioned where I come from or judged for how I speak or what my pronouns are,” Saldaña added. “Everyone has the right to be who they are. ‘Emilia Perez‘ is about truth and love and us actors really have to tell stories that are thought-provoking and beautiful and live within the spectrum of artistic freedom.”

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