Actress Karla Sofía Gascón talks about her career, the importance of representing trans people as real people in film, transphobia, dictatorship and the risk of democratic regression Europe is facing.
She gave us Emilia Pérez. Hollywood gave her silence. Emilia Pérez is a bold musical crime drama about a Mexican drug lord who transitions to a woman and tries to start a new life. At this year’s Oscars, the film earned ten nominations — and Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress.
But in Saldana’s acceptance speech, there was no mention of Karla Sofía Gascón — the lead actress whose role as Emilia is the beating heart of the entire story.
Gascón had already made history, becoming the first openly trans actress nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. Her performance had swept some of the most prestigious awards in world cinema: Best Actress at Cannes, the European Film Award, and France’s Lumières Award.
Yet shortly after her nomination, old, offensive tweets from years ago resurfaced online. Gascón apologized, saying her words were taken out of context — but the damage was done. Netflix distanced itself, Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard publicly condemned the comments, and Gascón quietly disappeared from the film’s U.S. promotion. She attended the Oscars — but without the red carpet, without speeches, almost invisible.
GayIceland’s Magdalena Lukasiak talks to Gascón about her career, the importance of representing trans people as real people, how harmful portrayals can fuel the fires of real-world transphobia and simply what is it like to be a trans actress in the film industry?
“It takes a lot of patience,” Gascón begins telling me, when I bring up the beforementioned question regarding the film industry. “Practically every role that comes your way is somehow related to sexuality. There are very few scripts, and they’re almost always the same.
I also feel like there’s a kind of exploitation of inclusion — until it stops being profitable.”
Has systemic transphobia affected you?
“A lot. Every day I wake up to insults on social media and smiling stares in real life.
I feel constantly judged and scrutinized.”
Do you think your transition and coming out have influenced your opportunities to develop your career?
“I don’t regret it because regret is useless. What saddens me is that truly different people still have it very hard. There are very clear stereotypes constantly being sold to us because they uphold a system that gives a lot of money and power to a few.
It’s never good for any dictatorship if people start thinking for themselves — no matter which side of the political spectrum.”
It’s never good for any dictatorship if people start thinking for themselves — no matter which side of the political spectrum.
Why do you think there are still so few trans protagonists in popular movies and TV shows?
“Because they might stir controversy for a certain conservative audience. Because if they’re not portrayed as a joke or as marginalized, they’re not seen as interesting to certain sectors. Because there are countries where you won’t be able to sell your film, and you lose that market.
Violence sells really well — love and sexuality scare many people.
People still don’t realize that trans people have always been a part of humanity and are never going to disappear from society, no matter how hard anyone tries.
We should take more responsibility — just like the inclusion of people from other ethnic backgrounds, which is becoming more and more common and normalized.”
The film industry still fears real change and integrating trans actresses into the mainstream. Why do you think this happens?
“The industry feeds off society, and society feeds off the industry.
Until the industry understands the responsibility it has towards the future of new generations — towards individual freedom — and stops being just a machine, there won’t be real change.”
In what ways does systemic transphobia show up in the world of cinema? Is it more subtle, or do you experience it directly?
“Usually, artists tend to have a more open mindset. The problem is that there are fewer and fewer real artists.
And those who aren’t artists don’t necessarily have to be open-minded.
That kind of transphobia actually lives more in people who are further removed from art.
However, it’s much more strongly felt by trans women than by trans men.”
People still don’t realize that trans people have always been a part of humanity and are never going to disappear from society, no matter how hard anyone tries.
Do you notice differences in how trans actresses and their work are perceived in Europe and the United States? In which of these places do you feel more accepted and have more opportunities to grow your career?
“The problem isn’t the continents or the states — the problem is who governs those states.
People tend to go with the flow, and the issue is that they start copying each other. If they see something works for someone else, they adopt it for themselves.
Targeting minorities who can barely defend themselves usually works very well.
Europe is in exactly the same danger as any other place — we’re not exempt from regression.”
Have you noticed differences in how your work has been received at different stages of your career? Were you treated differently before and after your transition?
“Since my transition, I’ve received insults and threats of all kinds just for existing. I thought I would never again be able to work in my profession. Then I started to believe the opposite — and people made sure I went back to my original thought.
Honestly, I also believe it has to do with human egocentrism — people can’t stand the idea that someone who was “destined” for marginalization might succeed, because if that happens, the chain of hatred and envy breaks.”
I get the impression that Hollywood and other big film industries try to promote diversity only on the surface, without real support for trans artists. Do you think this will ever change?
“I hope you’re wrong — and if not, well, hope is the last thing we lose.”
What steps should be taken to truly change the situation of trans actresses in the industry?
“Start seeing them as actresses who can play any character.”
If we keep seeing trans women only in marginalized settings, we will keep associating trans women with marginalization — and we won’t be able to offer them real social normalization.
How are trans women represented in film?
“In a very one-dimensional way.
And when they are represented differently, some people protest because they believe diversity should also be one-dimensional — and exactly how they imagine it.”
How does cinema influence the social perception of trans women?
“If we keep seeing trans women only in marginalized settings, we will keep associating trans women with marginalization — and we won’t be able to offer them real social normalization.
It’s a vicious cycle. Like the ouroboros — the snake eating its own tail.”
Pictures: @andresgarlujan
Hair: @jesusdepaula
Makeup: @alex_saint
Stylist: @_freddyalonso