Karla Sofía Gascón Breaks New Ground as BAFTA's First Transgender Actress Nominee

Karla Sofía Gascón, the renowned leading actress from the musical crime drama Emilia Pérez, has once again made history by becoming the first transgender woman to receive a nomination for the BAFTA Film Awards.

Emilia Pérez, a standout film in this year’s BAFTA nominations, has garnered an impressive 11 nods, including coveted categories such as Best Film and Best Director for Jacques Audiard. In the lead with 12 nominations is Conclave, another major contender in the awards.

Gascón's nomination in the Leading Actress category is for her captivating portrayal of Emilia, a former Mexican cartel leader who takes the drastic step of faking her own death to undergo gender-affirming surgery. The character’s journey is both complex and groundbreaking, and Gascón's performance has captivated audiences and critics alike. Her nomination marks a historic moment, as no transgender actress has previously been nominated for this prestigious award.

Facing Stiff Competition

In her category, Karla Sofía Gascón will compete against a stellar lineup of actresses, including queer icon Cynthia Erivo for her role in Wicked, Demi Moore from The Substance, Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun, Mikey Madison from Anora, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Hard Truths. The competition is tough, yet Gascón's performance has already made significant waves on the awards circuit.

Other notable nominations from Emilia Pérez include Zoë Saldaña and Selena Gomez, both vying for Best Supporting Actress. Saldaña plays the determined lawyer Rita, who aids Emilia in her complex ploy to start a new life. Meanwhile, Gomez delivers an emotionally charged performance as Jessi, Emilia’s pre-transition wife, who is misled to believe in Emilia's staged demise.

Saldaña and Gomez are up against notable talents such as Ariana Grande in Wicked, Isabella Rossellini in Conclave, Felicity Jones in The Brutalist, and Jamie Lee Curtis from The Last Showgirl.

A Star on the Rise

Although Gascón is a relative newcomer to mainstream cinema, her achievements this year have been extraordinary. Her role as Emilia has already earned her the Best Actress accolade at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where she became the first trans woman to win the award.

At the Golden Globe Awards, Gascón was the first transgender actress to be nominated in the Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) category. Although she did not win, losing to Demi Moore, her nomination alone was a significant milestone in representation.

As anticipation builds for the Oscars, industry insiders are closely watching to see if she will secure another groundbreaking nomination.

A Voice for Change

Gascón has also been vocal in addressing critics of Emilia Pérez who argue the film plays into negative stereotypes of trans women. She has articulated how she contributed to refining the representation of trans women in Audiard's original script, ensuring a more authentic and respectful portrayal.

As the BAFTA Film Awards approach, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ ally David Tennant as host further emphasizes the inclusive spirit of this year’s event. Scheduled to take place on February 16, the awards are stirring excitement across the film community.

For those eager to experience Emilia Pérez, the film is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

We invite our community to share their thoughts on this groundbreaking moment. Remember to keep discussions respectful and inclusive.