‘Emilia Pérez’ Star Karla Sofía Gascón Signs With UTA (EXCLUSIVE) M_Haris

UTA has signed Spanish actor Karla Sofía Gascón for representation.

Gascón plays the title role in Jacques Audiard’s film “Emilia Pérez,” for which she made history at the Cannes Film Festival in May as the first transgender woman to win the award for best actress. She shared the honor with co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz.

Gascón delivered an emotional acceptance speech, dedicating it to all trans people “who suffer and must keep faith that changing is possible,” adding, “If you have made us suffer, it is time for you also to change.”

Variety‘s chief film critic Peter Debruge praised the Spanish-language film in his review, writing that Gascón “electrifies” in her role as a feared drug cartel leader who seeks a gender-affirming surgery.

“’Emilia Pérez’ emerges as a powerful, unfiltered portrait of someone who challenges several stereotypes at once. That’s a testament to leading lady Karla Sofía Gascón (who plays Manitas/Emilia) and the audacity of Audiard, who had the good sense to incorporate Gascón’s personal experience into the character,” Debruge wrote.

The Mexican redemption musical was acquired by Netflix for the U.S. and the U.K. after its positive critical reception (including a nine-minute standing ovation) at Cannes.

“I think this movie is about the power of femininity,” Gascón told Variety through a translator during the festival. “It starts in a very dark, male-dominated, violent world and, thanks to community, it becomes brighter and better.” 

In television, Gascón’s credits include roles in Telemundo’s International Emmy-winning “El Señor de los Cielos” and the Netflix Mexican teen drama “Rebelde,” among others.

In film, Gascón starred in Gaz Alazraki’s 2013 dark comedy “Nosotros los Nobles” (“The Noble Family”) for Warner Bros.

Gascón will continue to be represented by IMC Management.