Karla Sofía Gascón Vows Silence, 'Emilia Pérez' Costar Zoe Saldaña 'Sad,' as Social Media Post Controversy Continues

"Emilia Pérez" star Karla Sofía Gascón posted that she will be "silent" and co-star Zoe Saldaña described herself as "sad" in the wake of Gascón's controversial social media posts coming to light.

Rolling Stone reported that Gascón's vow of silence came after the film's director, Jacques Audiard, told Deadline that "the actress' past tweets [were] 'inexcusable' and 'hateful,' and accused Gascón of 'playing the victim.'"

Saying that Gascón is "in a self-destructive approach" and "harming herself," Audiard told the publication, "I don't understand it, and what I don't understand about this too is why she's harming people who were very close to her."

Added the director: "I'm not getting in touch with her because right now she needs space to reflect and take accountability for her actions."

In an Instagram message, Gascón posted, "Following Jacques interview that I understand, I decided, for the film, for Jacques, for the cast, for the incredible crew who deserves it, for the beautiful adventure we all had together, to let the work talk for itself, hoping my silence will allow the film to be appreciated for what it is, a beautiful ode to love and difference."

Added the actress: "I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been hurt along the way."

Gascón made history as the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Academy Award in an acting category. Her powerful performance in "Emilia Pérez" encompasses both the role of a ruthless Mexican drug lord and the woman she becomes after faking her own death and undergoing gender confirmation treatment.

Saldaña, too, is up for an Oscar for her performance as the ambitious lawyer who helps the film's title character leave her old life behind and forge a new identity.

Indeed, the movie scored a near-record 13 nominations, including for best picture, and seemed likely to breeze its way to multiple wins.

"But when journalist Sarah Hagi shared screenshots of Gascón's old social media posts that were Islamophobic and critical of George Floyd, the discourse surrounding the film shifted," CNN recounted, "something that Saldaña... has had to grapple with both publicly and privately."

Saldaña described herself as "very sad" and "disappointed" when speaking about the controversy to the "Awards Circuit" podcast, CNN detailed.

"I'm sad. Time and time again, that's the word because that is the sentiment that has been living in my chest since everything happened," Saldaña told Variety.

"I'm also disappointed. I can't speak for other people's actions. All I can attest to is my experience, and never in a million years did I ever believe that we would be here."

"I'm taking it day by day," Saldaña added, "and that joy is starting to kind of come back again."

Gascón pushed back initially, declaring to CNN, "I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone," and saying that she will not take herself out of the running for the Oscar.

"I am neither racist nor anything that all these people have tried to make others believe I am," Gascón added.

But with the film's Oscar chances now potentially hindered, Netflix – where the film is currently streaming – has cut her participation in various Academy Award campaign events and appearances.