Emilia Perez actor Karla Sofia Gascon to skip BAFTAs amid controversy

Karla Sofia Gascon will miss the BAFTA Awards on Monday, February 17 (IST). The Emilia Perez star, who recently became the first openly trans actress to earn a BAFTA nomination, has been notably absent from several award shows after her previous racist social media posts resurfaced.

Gascon earlier missed the Critics Choice Awards, PGA Awards, and the Goya Awards. Her non-attendance at the BAFTAs comes after ongoing backlash following the controversy that surfaced two weeks prior. The situation ignited when journalist Sarah Hagi brought attention to a number of Gascon’s tweets from 2020 and 2021, featuring disparaging and derogatory remarks regarding Islam, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars.

In the meantime, the British Academy has revealed a lineup of guest presenters for the occasion. The cast features Adam Scott, Anna Kendrick, Camila Cabello, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colman Domingo, Isabella Rossellini, James McAvoy, James Norton, Jesse Eisenberg, Letitia Wright, Leo Woodall, Lupita Nyong’o, Marisa Abela, Mark Hamill, Naomi Ackie, Pamela Anderson, Ralph Fiennes, Simon Pegg, Thomasin McKenzie, Vanessa Kirby, Will Poulter, and Will Sharpe.