Conan O’Brien Takes a Hilarious Jab at Karla Sofía Gascón at the Oscars

The 97th Academy Awards were already set to be an unpredictable night, but no one quite expected host Conan O’Brien to take aim at Best Actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón in one of the most talked-about moments of the evening. From the moment he stepped on stage, it was clear that the legendary comedian had come prepared with his signature sharp wit, and he didn’t hold back.

During his monologue, O’Brien delivered a perfectly timed joke that sent the audience into fits of laughter:

“Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight. And Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.“

The camera immediately cut to Gascón, who, to her credit, managed a diplomatic smile. But let’s be real—everyone knew exactly what Conan was referring to.

Karla Sofía Gascón’s Twitter Drama: A Crash Course

For those blissfully unaware, Gascón had been at the center of a social media firestorm in the weeks leading up to the Oscars. Old tweets of hers resurfaced, containing—how do we put this delicately?—some highly questionable and offensive content. This led to widespread backlash, complicating her awards campaign for Emilia Pérez.

The controversy became so intense that Gascón skipped several major industry events, including the César Awards in Paris, where her film was also nominated. When she did finally show up at the Oscars, she avoided the red carpet entirely, likely in an effort to sidestep reporters who were undoubtedly dying to ask her about the scandal.

Conan’s No-Holds-Barred Monologue

O’Brien, a seasoned comedy veteran, knew exactly how to address the elephant in the room without derailing the show’s celebratory spirit. And so, with just one perfectly crafted joke, he managed to acknowledge the situation while keeping the tone light.

The joke worked on multiple levels. First, it was a classic self-deprecating move, referencing Jimmy Kimmel, a past Oscars host, as a way of deflecting any potential backlash. But the real punchline? The not-so-subtle implication that Gascón’s publicist had likely been working overtime trying to control the fallout.

To drive the point home, O’Brien followed up with another zinger:

“Anora uses the f-word 479 times. That’s more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist.“

That’s right. He didn’t just go there—he built a summer home and invited us all in for a drink.

Conan O’Brien: “Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight. And Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, my name is Jimmy Kimmel” #Oscars pic.twitter.com/9ik28evXyj

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 3, 2025

Emilia Pérez: A Big Night Overshadowed

Despite the controversy, Emilia Pérez had a historic night at the Oscars. The Jacques Audiard-directed film came in as the most-nominated movie of the evening, boasting a whopping 13 nods. The film, a genre-blending musical crime drama, was widely praised for its performances, storytelling, and bold vision.

Gascón’s performance had been lauded by critics, and many believed she had a strong shot at taking home the Best Actress trophy. But with the cloud of controversy hanging over her, some speculated that it had impacted her chances.

Hollywood Loves a Redemption Arc—Will Karla Get One?

If there’s one thing Hollywood loves more than a scandal, it’s a comeback story. The question now is whether Karla Sofía Gascón will get one. With the Oscars behind her, will she address the controversy head-on? Will she attempt to rehabilitate her public image, or will she go the full disappear-until-people-forget route?

Only time will tell. But if Conan O’Brien’s monologue proved anything, it’s that even at the most glamorous night in Hollywood, no one is safe from a well-placed roast. And honestly? That’s exactly what the Oscars needed.