At the 2025 Oscars, Conan O’Brien couldn’t resist poking fun at Karla Sofía Gascón, 

the controversial actress nominated for Best Actress for her role in *Emilia Pérez*.

Known for his sharp humor, O’Brien turned the spotlight on Gascón, 

who has been under intense scrutiny for a series of controversial tweets that resurfaced just ahead of the ceremony. 

During his Oscars monologue, O’Brien quipped, “’Anora’ uses the f-word 479 times. That’s three times more than the record set by the publicist of Karla Sofía Gascón.” 

The remark, met with laughter from the audience, was a playful jab at Gascón’s past social media behavior, which had become a major talking point in the days leading up to the Oscars.

While O’Brien’s joke might have seemed lighthearted, it reflected the tension surrounding Gascón’s nomination. The actress, who made history as the first transgender woman to be nominated for Best Actress, had found herself at the center of a media storm after controversial posts from her Twitter account resurfaced. The posts, some dating back as far as 2016, included offensive comments about Muslims, George Floyd, and diversity at the 2021 Academy Awards. The tweets ignited widespread backlash, leading some to call for her nomination to be rescinded.

In the wake of the uproar, journalist Sarah Hagi posted screenshots of the tweets on X, sparking further public outrage. Among the tweets were also derogatory remarks aimed at Gascón’s *Emilia Pérez* co-stars, including a 2022 post where she called actress Selena Gomez a “rich rat.” This led to even more scrutiny, and the actress was distanced from her film’s awards campaign as a result.

Despite the controversy, Gascón, who was seated in the audience during O’Brien’s monologue, appeared to take the joke in stride, laughing along with the crowd. O’Brien continued with his playful banter, telling her, “Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, remember my name is Jimmy Kimmel,” referencing the previous year’s Oscars host. 

The awkwardness of the situation was not lost on the Academy. Bill Kramer, the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, made a statement ahead of the event urging respect for Gascón. “The Academy does not condone hate speech — I want to be very clear about that,” he said, acknowledging the historical significance of Gascón’s nomination while also emphasizing the need for decorum during the night. 

In an attempt to address the controversy, Gascón issued an apology in early February. In a statement to *Page Six*, she said, “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 to those I have caused pain.” She added, “All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.” 

While Gascón did not attend the SAG Awards in February despite being nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, she chose to attend the Oscars. However, her absence from major red carpet events had already raised questions. In his monologue, Conan O’Brien lightly acknowledged this, remarking on her absence from the red carpet and how it had fueled further media speculation.

Gascón’s controversial remarks have sparked broader conversations about accountability in the entertainment industry, especially for individuals with significant influence. The backlash against her tweets, paired with her historic nomination, has underscored the ongoing debate about the intersection of social media, fame, and responsibility. The Oscars ceremony, often a night of celebration, became an arena for this larger discussion, with Gascón at the center of it.

Despite the controversy, *Emilia Pérez* has received significant attention, with 13 Oscar nominations, making it the most-nominated film of the year. The film’s success, coupled with Gascón’s nomination, marks a historic moment for representation in Hollywood. However, the actress’ past remarks have complicated what should have been a straightforward celebration of her achievements.

The Oscars 2025 will surely be remembered not only for its star-studded moments and triumphs but also for the controversy surrounding Gascón and her contentious journey to the Oscars stage. As for Gascón, she faces the delicate task of moving forward while balancing her apologies, the support of her fans, and the responsibility that comes with being an influential figure in the public eye.

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