Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascón made Academy history with her nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role in Emilia Pérez.
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Etienne Laurent / AFP via Getty Images
Emilia Pérez Actress Karla Sofía Gascón made Academy history by becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Oscar.
Three things to know:
1. The Spanish actress portrays the Emilia Pérez The titular character, a transgender drug lord in Mexico. The polarizing musical leads the pack this year, with a total of 13 Oscar nominations – just short of the record 14 nominations received by Titanic, LA LA LAND And All about Eve.
2. Gascón already made film history last year, when she became the first trans actor to win a major award at Cannes. This year, she became the first trans actress in a film to be nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2022, Laid Star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has become the first trans television actress to win a Golden Globe.
3. There have only been three other open Oscar nominees in the history of the award: English composer Angela Morley, musician Anohni and documentarian Yance Ford. Trans actor Elliot Page was nominated for his role in Juno Before the transition in 2020.
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What does Gascón think?
She spoke with NPR last year about the process of making the film, following her own transition in 2018.
Gascón also plays his cartel leader character before and after transition.
“It was an opportunity and I pushed for it because it was something that had never been done…and it was constructed perfectly,” she said.
Gascón says her own life helped bring truth to her character. “Without having gone through misfortunes and difficulties in life, we cannot put that to a role,” she said.
“If I had gotten this role about 20 years ago, I don’t think (I) would have been able to give it the same depth that I’m giving it now at 52.”
Go deeper with NPR
- Listen Gascón’s full interview to learn about the process of making awards season’s buzziest film, and how it reflected his own personal journey.
- Listen to it It’s been a minute Podcast, where host Brittany Luse goes beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn’t happen by accident.
