Karla Sofía Gascón Makes First Awards Show Appearance Since Social Media Controversy

Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón made her first appearance at an event following backlash over her social media posts amid this awards season.

The Spanish actress, who became the Oscars’ first openly transgender acting contender in January, attended the 50th annual César Awards in Paris on Friday, Feb. 28. Mexico-set musical-thriller Emilia Pérez, in which she stars in the title role, was nominated in 12 categories and ended up winning a leading seven, including for best film.

Posing for photos in a solid black dress with an asymmetrical neckline, Gascón, 52, bypassed the press line alongside two men who appeared to be security, according to Variety.

Not long after earning one of Emilia Pérez’s 13 Oscar nods, Gascón faced controversy over old posts on X that criticized Muslim culture, George Floyd, diversity and more. She then deactivated that account and gave several statements and interviews defending herself, eventually apologizing and vowing silence in a Feb. 6 Instagram post.

As reports indicated, Gascón did not appear at several Los Angeles awards events throughout February, including the Critics Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Oscar class photo and other events.

At the César Awards, France’s national film awards, Gascón was nominated for best actress alongside costar Zoe Saldaña; the award went to Hafsia Herzi for the movie Borgo. Jacques Audiard, the French writer and director of Emilia Pérez, earned César trophies for best direction and adaptation, in addition to best film. Per Variety, Gascón sat in the same row as her costar and director, but was not next to them.

Saldaña, 46, previously said that she was “really sad” and “disappointed” about Gascón’s controversy. “I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group,” she said in January. Audiard, 72, condemned Gascón’s old posts in a Feb. 5 interview. He then gave her an appreciative shout out during his BAFTA Film Award acceptance speech on Feb. 16.

Audiard, Gascón and Saldaña (in the supporting actress category) are among the nominees at the upcoming Oscars. A source told PEOPLE on Feb. 24 that even after weeks of controversy, Gascón plans to attend the ceremony.