After deactivating her X account amid a growing scandal regarding past tweets, Best Actress Oscar nominee Karla Sofía Gascón issued a statement on Friday in which she once again apologized and urged people to cease the “campaign of hate and misinformation.”
Gascón, the first transgender actor nominated for an Oscar, stated, “If you want, you can continue attacking me as if I were responsible for hunger and wars in the world,” in a statement shared with THR.
“I have been threatened with death, insulted, abused, and harassed to the point of exhaustion,” she expressed.
The actress attempted to clarify the context of her tweets.
“As part of society, I have expressed my agreement or disagreement with various related issues that have affected me and about which I have had an opinion, often erroneous, which has evolved throughout my experience,” she explained. “I have always used social media as a diary, reflections, or notes to later create stories or characters, not as something that would be scrutinized to the last of its 140 characters, as sometimes I am not even aware of having written something negative.
The controversy started when, in an interview with a Brazilian newspaper, Gascón accused the social media team for the also-nominated “I’m Still Here” of targeting her online. The Academy determined that the criticisms, which were not aimed at fellow Best Actress nominee Fernanda Torres, did not breach its regulations.
However, the media spotlight turned to Gascón’s past tweets, including one where she stated she wanted to ban Muslims and other religions that “go against European values.”
Her “Emilia Peréz” co-star Zoe Saldaña, who is also nominated for a Supporting Actress Oscar, remarked on Friday that she is “saddened” by Gascón’s racist remarks and does not support them.
“Emilia Peréz” has garnered 13 nominations, including Best Picture. In this musical film, Gascón portrays a Mexican cartel boss who transitions into a woman.
Here is Gascón’s full statement, translated from Spanish:
I’m sorry, but I can no longer allow this campaign of hate and misinformation to affect my family or me, so at their request, I am closing my account on X.
I have been threatened with death, insulted, abused, and harassed to the point of exhaustion.
I have a wonderful daughter to protect, whom I love dearly and who supports me in all things.
I had long ago decided to close a social network [sic] that has taken a terrible turn, one in which I have sometimes fallen, and for which I apologize.
As part of this society, I have expressed my agreement or disagreement with various issues that have affected me and about which I have had an opinion, often erroneous, which has changed throughout my experience. I have always used social media as a diary, reflections, or notes to later develop stories or characters, not as something to be scrutinized down to the last of its 140 characters, as sometimes I am not even aware of having written something negative.
I have defended all minorities in this world and supported freedom of religion and any actions against racism and homophobia, just as I have criticized the hypocrisy underlying them, because the first thing I critique is myself.
You will never hear me advocate for a war, an injustice, extremism, or applaud anyone who oppresses other human beings.
Perhaps my words are not always correct, often due to ignorance or simple mistakes. I apologize again if anyone has ever felt offended or will feel offended in the future.
I am a human being who has made, makes, and will make mistakes from which I will learn. I am not perfect. Taking my words out of context or manipulating them to hurt me is something I am not responsible for.
I am only responsible for what I say, not for what others claim I say or how others interpret my words.
I hope to have the chance to provide a more detailed explanation at some point.
Forgive me if I seem to meander and cannot respond to every single thing brought to try to sink me.
But if you want, you can continue attacking me as if I were responsible for hunger and wars in the world. I apologize once again if I have ever offended anyone with my words throughout my life.
I am simply Karla Sofía Gascón, an actress who has achieved what very few have through her effort and work, without taking or harming anyone in this world, just trying to live in peace, love, and respect—something that seems to trouble many.
It is evident that something very dark lies behind it.
But I’ll tell you something: “The more you try to sink me, the stronger I will become. The greater the victory will be.”
Please forgive me once again if any of my words hurt you.
Sincerely, Karla.
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
The post Karla Sofía Gascón Slams ‘Campaign of Hate,’ Says She’s Being Treated ‘as If I Were Responsible for Hunger and Wars’ first appeared on TheWrap.
