Karla Sofía Gascón makes trans history with Golden Globe nomination

Karla Sofía Gascón's performance in Emilia Pérez has turned her into a global sensation. Now, she's made history as the first out trans woman to be nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards set to air on CBS/Paramount+ on Sunday, January 7, 2025.

Gascón plays the title character in the film — a Mexican drug lord who comes out as transgender and moves forward with her transition.

Famously, the Golden Globes give out awards for both movies and TV shows. Moreover, film categories are divided between "Drama" and "Musical or Comedy."

Besides Gascón's nomination, Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard directed, received 9 other nominations, making it the film with the most nominations this year. Gascón is competing in her category with Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Amy Adams (Nightbitch), Mikey Madison (Anora), Demi Moore (The Substance), and Zendaya (Challengers)

Gascón is also an Oscar frontrunner for her work in Emilia Pérez. She, along with co-stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Zoe Saldaña already won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. Gomez and Saldaña both received nominations for Best Supporting Actress for their work in the film.

Gascón knows the history of trans representation on screen and knows how important it would be for a film about a trans woman, and starring a trans woman, to get awards buzz.

"I think that at the end, I only represent myself," Gascón told Out. "I have a lot of responsibility because a lot of people, maybe they need that representation from me. And I take this with my whole full heart to help the minority that I represent."

"But I think it's not only trans people," she continued. "I think there's a lot of people in this world that need freedom. They need to live in a world in peace with the respect for each other. And I think that is the most important."

If Gascón wins, she'll become the first to win a Golden Globe for acting in a film. Michaela Jaé Rodriguez became the first transgender actress to win a Golden Globe in 2022 for her role in the groundbreaking television series Pose.

Emilia Pérez is streaming on Netflix.