AceShowbiz - Best-actress Oscar nominee Karla Sofia Gascon has found her breakthrough moment overshadowed by a controversy stemming from years-old tweets, some of which were deemed racist. In an emotional, hour-long interview with CNN en Español, Gascón defended herself against allegations of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia while expressing regret over how her words were perceived.

Gascón, nominated for her role in "Emilia Perez", is the first openly transgender performer to achieve an Oscar nomination in an acting category. Her candid conversation with CNN anchor Juan Carlos Arciniegas saw her alternately defiant and remorseful.

"I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job and what is being valued is my acting work," she said, dismissing calls for her to step down. "I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone, I am not a racist, nor am I anything that all these people have taken it upon themselves to try to make others believe that I am."

Among the tweets under scrutiny were her opinions on the murder of George Floyd and her stance on Islam as well criticm over diversity at the Oscars. She also called her co-star Selena Gomez a "rich rat" and accused her of pestering ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Baldwin. In another tweet, she body-shamed Adele following her weight loss.

Gascon also seemingly defended Adolf Hitler in a 2019 tweet. "This is the same old story, 'blacks [are slaves] and women in the kitchen.' But it is my opinion and it must be respected. I do not understand such world war against Hitler, he simply had his opinion about the Jews. Well, that's how the world goes," she reportedly tweeted.

Despite the screenshots on the internet, Gascón claimed some of the circulated tweets were outright fabricated or taken out of context. She suggested it was part of a targeted campaign against her timed to disrupt her awards chances during the crucial voting period for the Academy Awards.

While acknowledging that her words might have caused offense, Gascón emphasized her growth and commitment to be better, declaring, "We can all change and be better people in this world."

Despite the potential impact on her Oscar campaign, Gascón insisted that her primary concern is the representation she brings as a transgender trailblazer, not the award itself.