Since its arrival on Netflix in December, the Spanish-language French film Emilia Prez has been a nesting doll of controversies. The musical, directed by Jacques Audiard, has been slammed by critics and on social media for its regressive portrayal of trans identity. The film has also been critiqued for its Eurocentric depiction of Mexico even inspiring a viral spoof film made by Mexican filmmakers, called Johanne Sacreblu and Audiard himself has made dismissive if not offensive comments about Mexico and the Spanish language. Meanwhile, earlier this week, the movies Oscar lead actress, Karla Sofa Gascn, was most notable for being at war with Brazilian Twitter for comments she made about her Best Actress rival Fernanda Torress social media team.Despite all this, Emilia Prez is up for 13 Oscar nominations and is predicted to pick up at least one for Zoe Saldaa in the Best Supporting Actress category. Gascns Oscar hopes are likely done, however, following a series of offensive, resurfaced tweets in what might be one of the most surprising scandals in Oscars history. On Wednesday, after Gascn was already in the news for her comments about Torres, X users began circulating years-old tweets from the Spanish actress using derogatory language aimed at marginalized communities. The tweets, from as recent as 2021, include disturbing remarks about George Floyd, Islam, and even the nonwhite winners of the 2021 Oscars ceremony. Other tweets find her casually using anti-gay and other hateful language. The Oscars arent unfamiliar with controversy. However, the mounting issues corroding the Emilia Prez Oscar campaign are pretty extraordinary and even make the controversy surrounding 2019 Best Picture Green Book look quaint in comparison. Likewise, its an ironic but extremely familiar trajectory for a movie that has been bolstered by the Hollywood establishment for its diversity and progressive themes. On Thursday, journalist Sarah Hagi posted a thread with screenshots of more than a dozen tweets from Gascn (in her native Spanish) disparaging Islam and immigrants from the Arabic countries. In one tweet posted on July 2, 2016, and translated by Vox editor Izzie Ramirez, she says, Islam is becoming an infection for humanity that needs to be cured urgently. In another tweet from September 2, 2020, Gascn, who is from Spain, posted a photo of a Muslim family, including a woman wearing a burka, in a restaurant, mocking the role of women in Islam. In the tweet, she sarcastically decried the wearing of burkhas and what she perceives as the lack of respect for women in Islam, capping it off with a phrase that translates to the deepest revulsion of humanity.In other posts, she points out the rising number of Muslims in Spain, lamenting that schools will start to teach Arabic instead of English. She blames Islam for several terrorist attacks. There are also multiple tweets where she a European slur referring to Muslims or people with dark skin.Users then began circulating a startling now-deleted thread she apparently posted on June 8, 2020, about Floyd, whose death by a police officer ignited worldwide Black Lives Matter protests. In the first post, a user with Gascns name says, Let me see if I understand, a guy tried to pass off a counterfeit bill after taking meth, an idiot cop arrives, and goes too far in arresting him and kills him, ruining the lives of his family and friends, and then then guy with the bill turns into a heroic marytr. In another statement in the thread, the user refers to Floyd as a drug addict and a hustler. The X account also exposed other unsavory comments, like a joke about China and Covid-19, and casual use of hateful language. A post about the 2021 Oscars ceremonies, read, More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films. I didnt know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration or the 8M [feminist strike], referring to an International Womens Day march, which takes place on March 8. Users also found a bizarre post where she refers to paparazzi photos of Miley Cyrus cozying up with a woman as lesbian perversion. This post might be seen as particularly baffling, as Gascn is herself a trans woman who is married to another woman. Gascns X account has since been deleted, although screenshots of her comments still abound online. On Friday, she also gave a terse apology to Variety: I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life, I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.She had previously sent a more defiant exclusive statement to the Hollywood Reporter, explaining why she deleted her account. In that statement, she called the backlash a campaign of hate and misinformation, while implying that the opinions she stated have changed: As part of this society, I have expressed my disagreement or agreement with all the related issues that have touched me and of which I have had an opinion, often erroneous, which has changed throughout my own experience. I have always used my social media as a diary, reflections or notes, to later create stories or characters, not as something that would be scrutinized down to the last of its 140 characters, since sometimes I, myself, am not even aware of having written something negative.Oscars campaigns are usually messy, but not this messyFor decades, the sabotaged Oscars campaign has been a fascinating and typically amusing phenomenon of awards season. Outside of Gascns antics, this year alone has seen several other controversies threaten the chances of certain Oscar hopefuls. Last week, the editor of 10-time Oscar nominee The Brutalist, Dvid Jancs, revealed that he utilized AI to perfect Adrien Brodys Hungarian speech in a brief part of the film. This led to questions about whether Brodys performance, which has already earned him a Golden Globe, should be re-evaluated. Meanwhile, in the midst of Gascns controversy, social media users found an article that her rival Torres had written slamming Amber Heard during her 2023 defamation trial against her ex-husband Johnny Depp, as well as a resurfaced video of Torres appearing in blackface in comedy sketch on a Brazilian TV show, for which she apologized earlier this week. Other times, these flubbed campaigns have often emerged from aggressive PR measures, from the Bette Davis infamous write-in campaign to the supposed overkill of Diana Rosss Best Actress campaign ads for Lady Sings the Blues to Melissa Leos self-funded Consider plea although she ultimately went on to receive her Oscar. This sort of zealous campaign was famously codified by former film producer Harvey Weinstein. Before Gascns scandal, the mantle for the most controversial recent Best Actress nominee belonged to Andrea Riseborough, who caused a huge kerfuffle when she received a surprising nod in 2023 for the small Sundance film To Leslie, due to sudden endorsements by celebrities and a dubious email sent to voters. The last-minute but shockingly efficient campaign ultimately didnt go against the Academys lobbying rules, but it did put a mark on the actress leading up to the awards show. Emilia Prez cast Adriana Paz, Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofa Gascn at the the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2025. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty ImagesIn general, though, its much more rare that a contenders Oscars chances have been tainted if not completely shattered due to hate speech the most recent example being Lars von Triers antisemitic comments during a press conference for his 2011 film Melancholia. Still, Gascns controversy presents a more complex and head-scratching case, given that Gascn is the first openly trans acting nominee. Despite how groundbreaking her nomination is on paper, her hateful comments on social media blot out any perception that her nomination is a win for progress.Her controversial comments also present a legitimate conundrum for the ceremony. Folks are already wondering how shell be included in the Best Actress presentation. The Academy recently announced that it would be bringing back the Fab 5 format, where previous acting winners give a heartfelt introduction to each of the nominees. Theres also always the possibility for more vocal backlash and even boycotts from the groups she targeted. Overall, Gascns remarks have only continued to illuminate the shallowness of Emilia Prez as a project and a progressive pick for the Academy. Following her scandal, folks have openly questioned why a European woman was cast in the role of a Mexican character, and recirculated comments about Audiard professing his own ignorance about Mexico. Theyve also affected any remaining amount of goodwill that the movie had going for it, including a powerful statement Gascn made at the Golden Globes earlier in January, when the film won Best Picture Musical or Comedy. The light always wins over darkness, she said. You can put us in jail, you can beat us up, but you can never take away our soul or our resistance or our identity. I want to say to you, raise your voice and say that I won, I am who I am, not who you want [me to be]. Who knew that, a few weeks later, itd be recycled for an apology? Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More: