Journalist Who Exposed Karla Sofía Gascón’s Past Tweets Explains Why It Matters: “She’s Just Another Racist”

Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón recently made history as the first openly transgender performer nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.

Her starring role in “Emilia Pérez,” a film lauded for its progressive themes and commitment to inclusivity, positioned her as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.

However, her moment of triumph has been overshadowed by a growing controversy surrounding resurfaced tweets from her past that contain racist, Islamophobic, and offensive remarks.

The backlash began after journalist Sarah Hagi brought Gascón’s tweets to light, igniting a heated debate about representation, accountability, and hypocrisy in Hollywood.

The Offensive Tweets That Sparked Outrage

The tweets in question, dating from 2016 to 2021, include inflammatory statements about Muslims, Islam, and diversity in entertainment.

In a 2016 tweet, Gascón referred to Islam as a “hotbed of infection for humanity.”Another tweet from 2021 criticized the Academy Awards, dismissing the ceremony as an “Afro-Korean festival” and calling it “ugly, ugly.”

These statements have drawn widespread condemnation from audiences, activists, and fellow industry professionals, with many questioning how someone with such a history of prejudiced remarks could be at the forefront of a supposedly progressive film.

Sarah Hagi’s Motivation: Exposing Hollywood’s Hypocrisy

Sarah Hagi, a respected journalist known for her sharp critiques of pop culture and media, told Variety why she chose to expose Gascón’s past.

“When someone in a historic position representing a film built on so-called progressive values has a history of racist and bigoted tweets, it exposes the hypocrisy of it all. This isn’t about meaningful representation — it’s just marketing. And that marketing falls apart when the person at the center of it is a racist bigot.”

Hagi’s statement underscores a larger issue in Hollywood: the gap between performative inclusivity and genuine progress.

According to her, Gascón’s casting in “Emilia Pérez” was meant to symbolize a step forward for transgender representation, but her offensive remarks undermine the very principles the film claims to champion.

The Apology and Industry Response

In response to the backlash, Gascón issued a public apology, acknowledging the harm caused by her past statements.

“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. I have spent my life fighting for a better world, and I will continue to do so.”

Despite her apology, many remain unconvinced. Critics argue that apologies without genuine accountability mean little, especially when they come only after public backlash.

Some have called on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to reconsider her Oscar nomination, while others have pointed out the lack of immediate consequences compared to past scandals that have resulted in actors being dropped from projects.

The Bigger Picture: Hollywood’s Reckoning with Performative Representation

Hagi’s exposé raises deeper questions about the entertainment industry’s approach to diversity and inclusion. Are studios and filmmakers committed to authentic representation, or is it simply a branding strategy?

The controversy surrounding Gascón echoes past instances where public figures championing diversity were later found to have histories of bigotry or discrimination.

From actors to directors and executives, Hollywood has often been criticized for embracing symbolic progress without addressing systemic biases within the industry.

For many, Gascón’s resurfaced tweets serve as a reminder that true inclusivity cannot be surface-level or convenient—it requires genuine commitment, accountability, and self-reflection.

What Happens Next?

As pressure mounts, the industry faces a decision: Will Gascón’s past remarks impact her Oscar nomination? Will the Academy address the controversy or attempt to sidestep it?

Meanwhile, Sarah Hagi’s role in uncovering these tweets highlights the power of journalism and social media in holding public figures accountable.

Whether this controversy will lead to meaningful change or be dismissed as another Hollywood scandal remains to be seen.

For now, one thing is clear: representation without integrity rings hollow.