Oscar Scandal: Fans Demand Lily-Rose Depp Replace Karla Sofía Gascón After Racist Tweets Resurface

The road to the Oscars is often filled with surprises, snubs, and debates, but this year, a particular nomination has stirred up an intense controversy. Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, nominated for Best Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, is facing backlash over resurfaced social media posts that many have deemed racist and Islamophobic.

As criticism mounts, a growing online movement is calling for Lily-Rose Depp to take her place in the nomination lineup. Depp, who has received widespread acclaim for her performance in Nosferatu, has been hailed as more deserving of the honor.

The debate, fueled by viral social media posts, has put the Academy Awards in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The Resurfaced Tweets That Sparked the Backlash

The controversy began when old tweets from Gascón’s X (formerly Twitter) account resurfaced. The posts, written in 2020 and 2021, contained racially insensitive and Islamophobic remarks.

Among the most criticized tweets were comments about Muslim communities in Spain, her insensitive take on the death of George Floyd, and her complaints about the Oscars prioritizing diversity.

One particularly contentious tweet from Gascón read:

“Is it just my impression, or are there more Muslims in Spain? Every time I go to pick up my daughter from school, I see more women with their hair covered and their skirts down to their heels.”

Another resurfaced post saw Gascón making an offhanded comment about the killing of George Floyd, a Black man whose death at the hands of a police officer in 2020 sparked worldwide protests. She also criticized the Academy’s diversity initiatives, implying that actors were being nominated based on political correctness rather than talent.

Gascón’s Apology and Social Media Reaction

As the backlash intensified, Gascón issued a public apology, acknowledging that her words had been harmful. She stated:

“I can’t fix my past acts, I can only say that today I am not the same person I was 10 or 20 years ago […] I recognize, in between tears, that they have won, they have achieved their objective, to stain my existence with lies or things taken out of context.”

However, her apology did little to calm the outrage. Many viewed her statement as insincere and criticized her for only addressing the issue once it became a public scandal.

Following the backlash, Gascón deactivated her social media accounts, leading some to speculate that she was attempting to avoid accountability rather than engaging in meaningful reflection.

The Call for Lily-Rose Depp to Replace Gascón

As criticism against Gascón mounted, social media users began advocating for Lily-Rose Depp to take her place in the Best Actress category. The movement was sparked by a viral tweet that read:

“Take away that racist hag’s nomination and give it to Lily-Rose Depp. I’m so serious.”

The post quickly gained traction, amassing over one million views and sparking a heated debate. Supporters of the idea pointed to Depp’s stellar performance in Nosferatu, which has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike.

Take away that racist hag’s nomination and give it to Lily-Rose Depp. I’m so serious. https://t.co/XUcdedTZ9h

— bailey (@baileylikemovie) February 1, 2025

Social Media Divided Over the Debate

While many backed the idea of Depp replacing Gascón, others argued that there were more deserving actresses who had also been overlooked. Some of the most notable responses to the viral tweet included:

• “And you’re so right to say that.”
• “She was phenomenal, but the Academy would never award a performance like that.”
• “No, but for real though—she deserves it way more than that certain someone.”
• “There are more deserving women than Lily-Rose Depp that should be nominated.”

The conversation quickly expanded beyond Depp, with some arguing that the Oscars should reconsider other overlooked performances from female actors this year, rather than simply swapping one nomination for another.

Lily-Rose Depp’s Acclaimed Performance in Nosferatu

Depp’s performance in Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated horror film Nosferatu has been hailed as one of her career-best performances.

Fans and critics alike have praised her ability to embody raw emotion, vulnerability, and strength in the gothic horror remake.

One film critic wrote on X:

“Just watched #Nosferatu… This movie made me so damn uncomfortable (in a good way). Lily-Rose Depp went to WORK! She deserves an Oscar nomination.”

Many believe Depp was unfairly snubbed and that her performance was exactly the kind of work that the Academy tends to overlook, favoring more traditional or dramatic roles over horror.

Will the Academy Respond?

Despite the growing demand to revoke Gascón’s nomination, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has remained silent on the issue. Historically, the Academy has been reluctant to revoke nominations, even in the face of scandals.

There have been very few cases where Oscar nominations were rescinded, and they were usually due to procedural errors rather than controversial past statements. As a result, many believe it is unlikely that the Academy will remove Gascón’s nomination.

A Bigger Conversation About Accountability in Hollywood

This controversy has sparked a larger conversation about accountability, representation, and meritocracy in Hollywood.

Should past offensive remarks disqualify someone from receiving one of the industry’s highest honors? Should overlooked performances—like Lily-Rose Depp’s—get a second chance? And if so, who decides?

While the Academy has yet to make a statement, one thing is certain: this year’s Oscar nominations have ignited one of the most intense debates in recent memory, and the conversation is far from over.