Netflix Stands by Karla Sofía Gascón Amid Social Media Controversy, Defends Meghan Markle Deal

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has publicly affirmed the streaming giant’s continued support for actress Karla Sofía Gascón, despite a recent controversy surrounding her resurfaced offensive social media posts. In an interview with Variety, Sarandos stated that Netflix would work with the "Emilia Pérez" star again, emphasizing the importance of "grace" when individuals make mistakes.

Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Emilia Pérez," faced backlash after old X posts containing controversial and racist views on Muslims, George Floyd, and diversity at the Academy Awards came to light. The actress subsequently issued an apology, stating, "As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain."

When questioned about whether Netflix would alter its social media vetting process for talent in light of the scandal, Sarandos indicated that the company primarily focuses on whether a person’s controversial posts have previously generated significant news coverage. He noted that Gascón’s posts only resurfaced after the Oscar nominations were announced, suggesting they hadn’t been a prior public concern. Sarandos explained, "What we’re typically vetting for is mostly headlines. Did someone’s social media stuff create headlines before?" He also added, "Then again, I’m not on Twitter, so I’m not going to come in and look at someone else’s Twitter."

The film "Emilia Pérez," a musical in which Gascón played the title role, garnered significant attention and led the Oscar nominations with an impressive 13 nods. However, the controversy surrounding Gascón’s past social media activity cast a shadow over the film’s Oscar campaign. Although initially considered a frontrunner for Best Picture, "Emilia Pérez" ultimately lost to "Anora." Despite the loss, the film secured two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Original Song for "El Mal."

Sarandos dismissed the notion that the Gascón controversy directly impacted the film’s chances of winning Best Picture. "I hate that question, because it creates all of these what-ifs," he said. "It was the frontrunner, but it was never a slam dunk that Emilia Pérez — with all its innovation and thrills — would win best picture. It was a great movie, a great campaign, and I’m bummed we had all that what-ifs thrown at us."

Prior to the Oscars, Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment that the controversy overshadowed the rest of "Emilia Pérez." She also pointed out that vetting social media posts is "not really common practice for people (or companies)" in the entertainment industry, although she acknowledged that "a lot of people are reevaluating that" now. Bajaria affirmed Netflix’s commitment to the film, stating, "If you ask me today, everything I know, we would still buy the movie today."

The controversy didn’t go unnoticed during the Academy Awards ceremony. Host Conan O’Brien made a joke referencing the situation, quipping, "Anora uses the F-word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist," which was met with groans from the audience.

In addition to addressing the Gascón situation, Sarandos defended Netflix’s decision to collaborate with Duchess Meghan, whose lifestyle show "With Love, Meghan" recently debuted on the streaming platform to mixed reviews. The Duchess of Sussex and her husband, Prince Harry, signed a multiyear deal with Netflix in 2020, which also resulted in the documentary series "Harry & Meghan."

Sarandos asserted, "I think Meghan is underestimated in terms of her influence on culture." He highlighted the impact of the "Harry & Meghan" doc series trailer, noting, "When we dropped the trailer for the Harry & Meghan doc series (in 2022), everything on-screen was dissected in the press for days. The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermès blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world. People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed." "With Love, Meghan" is slated to return for a second season, which has already completed filming.

The comments from Sarandos demonstrate Netflix’s commitment to supporting its talent even amidst controversy, while also acknowledging the need to learn from past events. The company’s approach to social media vetting, as outlined by Sarandos, focuses on instances where posts have already generated significant public attention. Whether Netflix will adjust its strategy in the future remains to be seen, particularly as social media continues to play an increasingly prominent role in the entertainment industry. The defense of Meghan Markle also shows Netflix is willing to defend its bigger deals, even if the initial project doesn’t get rave reviews. The streamer is betting on the long term appeal and reach of the royal couple.