The Oscars 2025 and the Emilia Pérez Backlash
The Oscars are back! Since 1929, Hollywood's most glamorous night has been the ultimate celebration of cinema, honoring the best in storytelling, acting, and creative genius. The 2025 edition is shaping up to be no different – except this time, it's packed with surprises, record-breaking moments, and unprecedented controversy. At the centre of this year's buzz is Karla Sofía Gascón, whose historic nomination as the first openly transgender actor to receive an Oscar nod has been overshadowed by controversy.
Key Media Insights about The Oscars 2025
- Over 1M social media mentions in January 2025
- An estimated social media reach of 57M
- 3,775 mainstream article mentions in January 2025
- Social media mentions about the musical, Emilia Pérez, reached fever pitch in January after success at the Golden Globes and 13 Oscar nominations
- Karla Sofía Gascón's nomination sparked intense social media debate following the resurfacing of controversial past statements
1 Million Social Media Mentions and Counting
The Oscars always gets people talking – but this year, the chatter has been more diverse than ever. Fans are hyping their favourites, critiquing the snubs, and passionately debating the merits of some unexpected nominations. And while the buzz is big, it’s not all golden statuettes and applause: the conversation is a mixture of sentiment.
Total Mentions about the Oscars (Jan 21–28, 2025) Across Social Media
What’s causing the mix? Some fans are thrilled to see daring films and fresh faces in the spotlight, while others are disappointed their favorite movies or stars didn’t make the cut.
Thousands of Mainstream Media Article Mentions
While social media is driving high engagement, mainstream media remains a key source of Oscars coverage. Between January 21 and 28, there were 3,775 articles about the Oscars, with a noticeable spike on January 23— after nominations were announced.
Total Mainstream Article Mentions about the Oscars (Jan 21 2025 – Jan 28, 2025)
Emilia Pérez: A Game-Changer for The Oscars?
With 13 Oscar nominations, Emilia Pérez isn’t just making history—it’s igniting passionate conversations across social media and mainstream media alike. Since its standout win at the Golden Globes, the film has surged in online discussions, with fans and critics weighing in on its presence at the Oscars.
The Media Reaction: A Divided Discussion
The high number of nominations for this particular film generated significant discussion among viewers and critics. Since its release on August 21 last year, Emilia Pérez has experienced its biggest surge in both social and mainstream media buzz in recent weeks.
While many celebrated its historic achievement as the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscars history, the film’s strong showing has also sparked debate. Some hail it as a triumph for international cinema, diversity, and representation. Others question whether the Academy is embracing more unconventional choices at the expense of traditional Hollywood contenders.
Total Mainstream Article Mentions of Emilia Pérez (Sep, 2024 –Jan 27, 2025)
Total Social Media Mentions of Emilia Pérez (Aug 26, 2024 –Jan 27, 2025)
Across social media, hashtags like #EmiliaPérezOscars and #Oscars2025 have gained traction, driving heated discussions, fan theories, and early predictions. Whether the film turns nominations into wins remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Emilia Pérez has already left its mark on Oscars history.
Karla Sofia Gascón: Star at the Center of the Storm
Karla Sofía Gascón, the lead actress of Emilia Pérez, garnered significant attention in mainstream media, both for her groundbreaking Oscar nomination and for controversies that have impacted her career and the film's prospects.
Gascón made history by becoming the first openly transgender actor to receive an Oscar nomination. This achievement was widely celebrated, marking a significant milestone for representation in the film industry.
Controversies and Public Backlash
However, Gascón's Oscar nomination has been overshadowed by the resurfacing of past controversial statements. In the past few days, it was revealed that she had made offensive remarks on social media, including derogatory comments about Selena Gomez. These revelations led to widespread criticism, with many questioning her suitability for the nomination and the film's integrity.
The backlash intensified when Gascón's previous tweets resurfaced, revealing offensive comments about various groups, including Islam, Catholics, and George Floyd. This controversy has raised concerns about the film's prospects at the Oscars and has sparked discussions about accountability and representation in the industry.
Social Media Buzz and Sentiment
Between January 27 and February 2, 2025, Karla Sofía Gascón dominated online conversations, with social media mentions skyrocketing to 643K and mainstream media coverage reaching 14,098 articles. While many celebrated her historic Oscar nomination, the resurfacing of past statements fueled intense backlash, making her one of the most talked-about figures of this awards season.
Total Social Media Mentions about Karla Sofía Gascón (Jan 27, 2025 – Feb 02, 2025)
Most Used Emojis in Social Media Mentions about Karla Sofía Gascón (Jan 27, 2025 – Feb 02, 2025)
Total Mainstream Media Mentions about Karla Sofía Gascón (Jan 27, 2025 – Feb 02, 2025)
As the March 3 ceremony approaches, the big question remains: will the spotlight shift back to Gascón’s performance, or will the controversy continue to dominate the conversation?
The Snubs and Surprises
Challengers, despite a star-studded cast and heaps of buzz, was left entirely out of the nominations. For fans, it’s a bitter pill to swallow – and they haven’t been shy about voicing their disappointment online.
But the Academy threw in plenty of surprises, too. Films like The Substance and The Brutalist broke through with unexpected nominations, signaling a bold move by voters to embrace unconventional narratives.
The 2025 Oscars: A Year of Milestones and Momentum
This year’s Awards represent more than just Hollywood's biggest night - they reflect an industry in transformation. From Emilia Pérez's record-breaking 13 nominations to Karla Sofía Gascón's historic yet controversial nomination, the 2025 ceremony has already sparked vital conversations about representation, accountability, and the evolving nature of cinema itself.
One thing is clear: the 2025 Oscars have already made their mark on film history. The real question isn't just who will take home the golden statuettes, but how this watershed moment will shape the future of cinema and the institution of the Oscars itself.