Jacques Audiard has finally spoken out about the controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez and its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón. In an interview with Deadline, the acclaimed director expressed his disappointment over the situation, stating that Gascón has been “playing the victim card” while seemingly choosing a “self-destructive path.”
Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender woman to win the Best Actress award at Cannes, has sparked backlash due to her recent statements during award season. Her comments offended multiple communities, creating a PR nightmare for the film. Meanwhile, Audiard and the rest of the Emilia Pérez cast—including Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña—have continued promoting the critically acclaimed musical thriller.
Reflecting on the fallout, Audiard admitted, “Very unfortunately, it is taking up all the space, and that makes me very sad.” He reminisced about the strong bond he once had with Gascón on set, built on trust and collaboration. “When you have that kind of relationship, and suddenly you read something that that person has said—things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated—of course, that relationship is affected.”
The filmmaker revealed that he has not spoken to Gascón since the controversy erupted and has no intention of doing so. He remains baffled by her behavior, stating, “She’s really playing the victim. She’s talking about herself as a victim, which is surprising. It’s as if she thought that words don’t hurt.”
Despite the drama, Emilia Pérez remains a major contender this award season and is now available to stream on Netflix.