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Just days before Hollywood's biggest night, Oscar nominees gathered for an exclusive dinner at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles. The event, which replaced the traditional nominees' luncheon out of respect for the recent wildfires, was a chance for this year's top talents to mingle, celebrate, and—of course—take the highly anticipated group photo. But fans noticed something off when the official shot surfaced: Karla Sofía Gascón was missing.
Gascón, who made history as the first openly trans actress nominated for Best Actress for her role in "Emilia Pérez," was nowhere to be seen in the lineup. Naturally, speculation ran wild. While she wasn't the only no-show—Kieran Culkin and Guy Pearce also skipped—her absence stood out given the recent controversy surrounding her past social media comments, which led to accusations of racism and xenophobia.
Following the backlash, Netflix, which is distributing "Emilia Pérez," initially distanced itself from Gascón in the film's promotional efforts. However, in a recent shift, the streaming giant confirmed it would cover her travel expenses so she could attend the ceremony.
Karla Sofía Gascón Speaks Out
Despite the drama, Gascón appears focused on the moment. In an interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," she reflected on her journey leading up to the Oscars. "I don't really know how I feel, but I'm grateful to be back. I'm thankful to everyone who has believed in me—Netflix, the production team, and my colleagues. We can now close this beautiful and challenging journey that started three years ago," she shared.
A Night to Remember—For Some
Meanwhile, inside the Academy Museum, nominees dressed to impress for an evening filled with laughter, networking, and fine dining. Academy President Janet Yang gathered attendees for the signature photo-op, with a lively dance floor in the background. The event's menu, curated by Wolfgang Puck, featured New York-style steak, roasted salmon, pan-seared Jidori chicken, and black pepper gnocchi—because no Hollywood gathering is complete without a gourmet feast.
While Gascón may have missed out on this particular moment, all eyes will be on her come Oscar night. Whether she takes home the gold or not, her nomination alone has already sparked conversation, controversy, and history.
Karla Sofía Gascón spotted as she prepares for rumored Oscars debut
Karla Sofía Gascón's recent appearance follows a controversial awards season. Gascón was photographed in Milan, with some of her filmmaker friends, including Stefania Rosella Grassi, producer Melina Arena, and the assistant director Ludovica Lorenzetti.
Selena Gomez breaks her silence on Karla Sofía Gascón's alleged tweets
Selena Gomez is keeping it real! While accepting the Virtuosos Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, she addressed the controversy clouding the Oscar-nominated film. "Some of the magic has disappeared," she admitted. "But I choose to continue to be proud of what I've done, and I'm just grateful. I live with no regrets, and I would do this movie over and over again if I could."
Gascón allegedly called Gomez a "rich rat." But Gascón denied it, telling CNN en Español, "Of course that's not mine. I have never said anything about my partner. I would never refer to her that way."
Despite all the noise, Gomez holds onto the good parts of her "Emilia Pérez" experience. "Just having someone see something in me besides the obvious was such a special experience," she shared. "The director [Jacques Audiard] just really trusted me, and I was so grateful because I've gotten to show people that I am capable of doing more. I hope this is just the beginning for me in this field."