Fears over this year’s Oscars turning ugly as tensions rise ahead of ceremony

We’re just days away from the 2025 Oscars and there are signs it could be one of the tensest events in recent memory for the Academy. Having already pivoted to adjust announcement timelines and ceremony content in light of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, at a time where the showbiz community has been keen to highlight the work of its firefighters and first responders and not appear tone-deaf, organisers have also had to face backlash against one of their problematic nominees as well as bubbling tension regarding the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Karla Sofía Gascón became persona non grata after a raft of historic tweets were unearthed that saw her accused of racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia as she shared controversial and offensive opinions on George Floyd, Hitler and Muslims. After a triumphant moment for representation when she became the first out trans performer to be nominated for a best actress Oscar for her turn in Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, many were then calling for the Academy to rescind her historic nomination in the wake of the controversy.

And this was just the latest controversy for musical crime drama Emilia Pérez, which has frustrated many in Mexico with its French writer-director’s depiction of the country, as well as provoking the ire of LGBTQ+ organisation GLAAD, who called it ‘a profoundly retrograde portrayal of a trans woman’.

But Emilia Pérez also happens to be the most nominated film at the Oscars this year with a record-breaking 13, the most ever for a film not in the English language. While Gascón eventually stepped back from promotional activities after multiple apologies – including a reportedly unauthorised live interview – Netflix focused all of its energy into promoting supporting actress candidate Zoe Saldaña on the awards season circuit.

It has now been confirmed that Gascón will be in attendance at the Oscars this week, as well as France’s equivalent, the César Awards. This comes after she skipped the likes of the Critics Choice Awards, Baftas and SAG Awards – where she was also nominated – while laying low, having had Netflix withdraw its financial and logistical support of her campaign.

Saldaña had the unenviable task of addressing the fall out shortly afterwards at a Q&A for the film in London, saying that it ‘made her really sad because I don’t support it’, while director Jacques Audiard insisted at first that he didn’t want to speak to Gascón – before making more conciliatory noises towards her onstage at the Baftas.

It’s unknown whether or not she will walk the red carpet at the Oscars, but Netflix is reported to be covering her travel costs after all – as is customary for studios – while Gascón told The Hollywood Reporter she was ‘grateful to be back’ and ready to ‘close this beautiful and difficult path that began three years ago’.

But any cold reception Gascón may receive could pale in comparison to possible fraught interactions between creatives, crew and industry members who are on either side of the gulf between those of pro-Israel and pro-Palestine persuasion. According to Deadline, a fiery statement has been issued by collective Brigade in response to Artists4Ceasefire asking attendees of the 2025 Academy Awards to once again wear its red hand pins in support of Gaza.

Brigade, initially formed by a group of top-tier Hollywood publicists, execs and producers the day after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel on October 7 2023 – and now believed to number over 700 creatives and industry members – has claimed the pin ‘is the emblem of Jewish bloodshed’.

Artists4Ceasefire is another influential creative collective formed that same month, currently numbering around 550, with the goal of advocating for a permanent ceasefire, full hostage release and delivery of aid to Gaza. Brigade sent its letter after the bodies of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and 4-year-old Ariel Bibas were returned to Israel on February 20; while Hamas claimed the hostages were killed in an Israeli airstrike, the IDF insists an autopsy proves the children were murdered at the hands of their captors.

Metro’s on Whatsapp! Join our community for breaking news and juicy stories. ‘Today, we will not be silent,’ vowed the group in its letter, continuing: ‘On February 20, the same day the world learned 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his 4-year-old brother Ariel were strangled to death by their terrorist captors in Gaza, you doubled down – urging celebrities to proudly wear your bloodstained red hand pin.

‘Have you no shame? That pin is no symbol of peace. It is the emblem of Jewish bloodshed.’. The Artists4Ceasefire pin is red and features a hand holding a heart on it, and was first worn by the likes of Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef and Ava DuVernay at the 2024 Oscars.