Bill Maher has his own take about what went down on Oscar Sunday.
While talking with author and comedian David Sedaris on the latest episode of “Real Time,” Maher explained that “cancel culture” was a big factor in deciding the latest class of Academy Award winners, especially when it comes to “Emilia Pérez” and its star Karla Sofía Gascón.
“There are people who say cancel culture isn’t a real thing and I would say to them, ‘It just happened at the Oscars,’” Maher said. “You may not think it happened but the movie that was going to win it all was ‘Emilia Pérez.’”
Maher added that “Hollywood loved” the idea of breaking down a major cultural barrier and having “a person, who was a trans person” win the Oscar for best actress. Maher went on to praise Gascón’s performance saying, “God bless her, she did a great job.”
While Gascón, and “Emilia Pérez” for that matter, were once the ones to beat, they quickly became Academy pariahs after a series of problematic tweets from Gascón resurfaced. The tweets, mostly posted between 2020 and 2021, expressed controversial opinions on George Floyd, Muslims and diversity at the Oscars.
Maher said that Gascón’s tweets were “a little childlike” and ” a little Kanye-esque, just whatever’s on the brain comes out,” in reference to Kanye West’s history with controversial social media posts.
“And this movie, that was going to win it all, it was the front-runner, and she was going to get all… suddenly was out to lunch,” Maher said. “And good news for ‘Anora‘. That’s what happened. So yes, cancel culture is still with us. It may just be a little more subtle.”
Sean Baker’s “Anora” would emerge as pack leader at the 2025 Academy Awards. The film took home five wins, including best picture, director and actress. “Emilia Pérez” didn’t go home empty handed either, winning best supporting actress and best original song.