Social media was buzzing on Monday over Netflix’s purported removal of transgender actress Karla Sofia Gascón from promotional materials for its Oscar-nominated film Emilia Pérez, a month ahead of the 97th Academy Awards.

A number of users across platforms such as X/Twitter and Reddit said that it was clear the streamer was looking to minimize the presence of Gascón in their Oscar campaigning for the movie.

The change in direction came amid resurfaced social media posts from the actress that garnered controversy amid allegations of racism, homophobia and body shaming, among other unpleasantries. 

Gascón, 52, received a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of the film’s тιтular character, making history as the first openly-transgender actress nominated in the category.

Promotional materials for ‘For Your Awards Consideration’ (FYC) appeared focused on Best Supporting Actress nominee Zoe Saldaña, 46, as she was the centerpiece of both the poster circulating online; and an Netflix FYC page, which showcased a close up of the star’s face.

Saldaña received her first career Oscar nod played the role of Rita in the Spanish language film, and appears the heavy favorite to capture the prize.

Social media was buzzing on Monday over Netflix’s purported removal of transgender actress Karla Sofia Gascón, 52, from promotional materials for its Oscar-nominated film Emilia Pérez, a month ahead of the 97th Academy Awards. Gascón pictured in LA in October 

Karla Sofía Gascón has been completely erased from the latest Oscars ‘For Your Consideration’ ad for Emilia Pérez. I wonder why!?? pic.twitter.com/4AJ2jOSsgl

— Jason (@jasonosia) February 3, 2025

On X, a number of prominent film-related accounts commented on Gascón being absent from a promotional poster the streamer purportedly released touting the movie’s 13 Academy Award nominations, but omitting Gascón’s name and image.

‘Karla Sofía Gascón has been completely erased from the latest Oscars ‘For Your Consideration’ ad for Emilia Pérez. I wonder why!??’ a tweet from @jasonosia read, linking to the poster.

Read More Emilia Pérez is branded ‘the worst movie ever’ after it dominated Oscar nominations with 13 nods

The account run by Sam Herbst at the handle @smhrbst posted a link to the poster, adding, ‘New Netflix FYC poster for Emilia Perez without Karla on it oh it’s OVER lmaooo.’

A number of commenters took the streaming service to task over omitting Gascón in spite of her recent controversies.

‘Emilia Perez is about a woman but don’t worry about her,’ Herbst commented.

Film critic Guy Lodge noted of the new promotional materials: ‘The irony of this campaign literally erasing its trans lead.’

Another user noted how the streaming service even left Gascón’s nomination out of the poster, instead promoting Best Original Song nominee El Mal instead of Gascón’s historic honor: ‘I ᴀssumed this was simply about omitting her from the pH๏τos, but they’ve even left the lead acting nomination unmentioned up here! Oh my.’

A Reddit user noted, ‘They’re advertising original song on the top over her.’ 

Promotional materials for ‘For Your Awards Consideration’ (FYC) appeared focused on Best Supporting Actress nominee Zoe Saldaña, 46, as she was the centerpiece of both the poster circulating online; and a Netflix FYC page, which showcased a close up of the star’s face 

Gascón received a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of the film’s тιтular character, making history as the first openly-transgender actress nominated in the category 

Saldana pictured at an event in LA in November in support of the movie 

Said another user of the poster: ‘It doesn’t even include the тιтle of the film lmfao.’ 

Another X/Twitter user referenced Gascón’s social media controversy, saying of Netflix’s tack: ‘Clearly they don’t want her mess to affect the film, her pic on the poster would bring up on everyone’s memory every disgusting post she made.’

Read More Transgender Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón under fire for ‘hurtful’ social media posts

The film site World of Reel noted that the streamer was ‘attempting to steer its $30M+ Oscar campaign for Emilia Perez in the right direction, and this means, quite wisely, ignoring that its controversial star Karla Sofia Gascón was even in the movie.’

The site said that ‘Netflix has basically thrown in the towel’ in pushing Gascón as a viable Oscar contender.

One user said Netflix’s handling of the Gascón issue could jeopardize Saldaña’s quest for Oscar gold.

‘I was initially thinking that the scandal would not sink Zoe Saldaña’s chances at supporting actress… but the campaign’s new angle is just so not effective that I could see her losing the Oscar as well,’ the user said.

Other users were more supportive of Netflix’s strategic decision to promote Saldaña over Gascón, saying that Saldaña’s workload in the film amounted to that of a lead actress, regardless of the film’s тιтle.

‘Finally recognising the lead of the film,’ one user said, while another said, ‘Arguably Zoe is the lead of this wretched movie anyway …’

Opinions on social media were mixed about Netflix’s change in direction amid controversy

Said one user: ‘So, the supposed тιтle character has been completely (and understandably) scrubbed from promotional for the supposed supporting character who’s the actual lead in the film. 

‘Saldana should’ve been submitted in the lead actress category in the first place because she’s the lead.’

In the Best Actress category, Gascon is nominated against The Substance’s Demi Moore; Anora’s Mikey Madison; I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres; and Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo.

In the Best Supporting Actress category, Saldaña appears the heavy favorite to capture the honors over fellow nominees including Wicked’s Ariana Grande; The Brutalist’s Felicity Jones; Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini; and A Complete Unknown’s Monica Barbaro.

Emilia Perez, directed by Jacques Audiard, led the way with 13 nominations when this year’s Oscar nominees were announced in Beverly Hills on January 23.

Other key nominations the film received included Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Achievement in Directing for Audiard.