Selena Gomez admits Emilia Perez ‘magic has disappeared’ in damning verdict of Karla Sofia Gascon controversy
Selena Gomez has admitted that “some of the magic has disappeared” from her film Emilia Pérez amid ongoing controversy surrounding her co-star Karla Sofía Gascón.
Speaking at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Sunday, the 32-year-old actress addressed the scandal whilst receiving the Virtuosos Award.
“I choose to continue to be proud of what I’ve done, and I’m just grateful,” Gomez said.
She added: “I live with no regrets and I would do this movie over and over again if I could.”
The controversial posts included comments about Muslim culture and George Floyd, whom she allegedly called a “drug addict swindler” in 2020.
The Spanish actress also allegedly posted a tweet in 2022 referring to Gomez as a “rich rat” amid the singer’s rumoured feud with Hailey Bieber.
The film, which has received 13 Academy Award nominations, has been overshadowed by the growing controversy.
“Of course that’s not mine. I have never said anything about my partner. I would never refer to her that way,” she stated.
The actress claimed the social media post was fabricated to damage her Oscar campaign.
“[People] have dedicated themselves to searching, to put together all the things that I had said… most of which are false,” Gascón told CNN.
Fellow cast and crew members have expressed their dismay over the controversy.
“I’m sad… that is the sentiment that has been living in my chest since everything happened. I’m also disappointed,” co-star Zoe Saldaña told Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast.
The film’s director Jacques Audiard was particularly harsh in his response to Deadline.
“When you read something that that person has said, things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated, of course that relationship is affected,” he said.
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Audiard added: “I haven’t spoken to her, and I don’t want to.”
Gascón has issued an apology for her past social media posts.
“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 said in a statement.
The actress maintains she will not withdraw from Oscar consideration.
“I cannot step down from an Oscar nomination because I have not committed any crime, nor have I harmed anyone,” she told CNN en Español.
“All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness,” she added.