Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard paid a heartfelt tribute to disgraced star Karla Sofía Gascón in his acceptance speech at the 2025 BAFTAs on Sunday.
The French filmmaker, 72, said ‘he could kiss’ the absent actress while accepting the award for Best Film Not In The English language, shortly after Zoe Saldaña who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie, also name checked her controversial co-star.
Spanish actress Karla, 52, was left off the BAFTA guest list, after several of her offensive social media posts resurfaced and sparked controversy amid allegations of racism, homophobia and body shaming.
During his speech Jacques thanked the film’s cast before ending his speech by saying: ‘I also thank you Karla Sofía, who I kiss’.
Meanwhile Zoe, 46, in her expletive acceptance speech read a long list of persons she wished to thank, one of whom was Karla.
The director previously branded the actress’ tweets as ‘inexcusable’ and ‘hateful’ saying they had ‘affected’ the pair’s relationship.
Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard paid a heartfelt tribute to disgraced star Karla Sofía Gascón in his acceptance speech at the 2025 BAFTAs on Sunday
Meanwhile Zoe Saldaña, 48, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie, almost name checked her controversial co-star
Spanish actress Karla, 52, was left off the BAFTA guest list, after several of her offensive social media posts resurfaced and sparked controversy amid allegations of racism , homophobia and body shaming (pictured last month)
He told Deadline: ‘The trust we shared, the exceptional atmosphere that we had on the set that was indeed based on trust. And when you have that kind of relationship and suddenly you read something that that person has said, things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated, of course that relationship is affected’.
Before adding: ‘It’s as if you fall into a hole. Because what Karla Sofía said is inexcusable.’
Karla has come under-fire after her old social media posts were uncovered, showing her criticizing Islam, George Floyd, Adele and co-star Selena.
Following the backlash, the cast and crew of Emilia Perez have distanced themselves from her, as well as Netflix itself.
In her tearful speech Zoe was quickly pulled off camera for swearing as she shouted ‘f***, f***, f***’ when the countdown hurried her.
Zoe was in floods of tears as she accepted the award, admitting it is ‘so validating and a true honour’ to received the gong after being previously told by dialect coaches that her British accent wasn’t going to work.
Listing off her thank yous, Zoe said: ‘Oh my god I’m getting a countdown. F*** f*** f***!’
She was all smiles as she accepted the award from Colman Domingo and Adam Pearson.
During his speech Jacques thanked the film’s cast before ending his speech by saying: ‘I also thank you Karla Sofía, who I kiss’
Meanwhile Zoe, 46, in her expletive acceptance speech read a long list of persons she wished to thank, one of whom was Karla
The Mexican movie, which has received mixed reviews despite its starring cast including Selena Gomez , is up for a staggering 11 nominations (Selena, L, pictured with Zoe, R)
Karla (pictured in the movie) has come under-fire after her old social media posts were uncovered, showing her criticizing Islam, George Floyd, Adele and co-star Selena
The Mexican movie, which has received mixed reviews despite its starring cast including Selena Gomez, is up for a staggering 11 nominations.
Zoe looked nothing short of sensational during the evening as she graced the star-studded red carpet in a dramatic black lace gown.
She showed off her amazing figure in the semi-sheer ensemble which boasted an eye catching off the shoulder neckline with a huge mesh collar.
Styling her long tresses in neat waves, Zoe elevated her frame in a pair of towering heels and accessorised with a silver dazzling necklace.
The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night.
Meanwhile Jesse Eisenberg, 41, accepted his co-star Kieran Culkin’s Best Supporting Actor gong for his starring role in A Real Pain.
Picking up Kieran’s gong, which he admitted is the fifth time he has received an award on his behalf this season, Jesse joked: ‘It’s confirmed what I always thought… we have a similar life but his is 27% better than mine.’
Jesse, who directed and starred in A Real Pain, also collected Best Original Screenplay gong and shared an emotional speech on the stage.
Picking up the movie’s second prize, he admitted: ‘I didn’t write anything because I didn’t think I’d win. I want to share this with my wife, who didn’t come because she didn’t think I’d win.’
