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The Historic Cast Of Emilia Pérez: 5 Key Stars, Oscar Buzz, And The Latest Controversy Explained

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The cast of Emilia Pérez has become one of the most talked-about ensembles in cinema as of late December 2025, following a historic win at the Cannes Film Festival and a dramatic, controversial run during the awards season. This groundbreaking musical crime film, directed by the acclaimed Jacques Audiard, has captivated global audiences with its bold story of a powerful Mexican drug lord seeking a new life and identity through gender affirmation surgery, leading to an extraordinary showcase of talent from its lead actors.

The film’s success is anchored by powerhouse performances from a quartet of Latin American stars, whose collective Best Actress win at Cannes was a landmark moment for the festival. Beyond the accolades, the cast and the film itself have been at the center of intense media scrutiny and debate, particularly concerning the lead actress's historic Oscar nomination and subsequent campaign fallout, making this ensemble one of the most compelling stories of the current cinematic year.

The Main Cast of Emilia Pérez: Full Biography and Key Roles

The core ensemble of Emilia Pérez is a blend of global superstars and critically acclaimed actors, each delivering a fearless performance that contributes to the film’s operatic, genre-bending narrative. The four leading actresses collectively won the Best Actress Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, a rare and historic decision by the jury.

Karla Sofía Gascón as Emilia Pérez / Manitas del Monte

  • Full Name: Karla Sofía Gascón
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Role in Film: She portrays both "Manitas del Monte," the feared male head of a Mexican cartel, and "Emilia Pérez," the woman he becomes after undergoing gender affirmation surgery.
  • Career Highlight: Gascón made history by becoming the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in an acting category for her dual role.
  • Recent News: Despite her historic nomination, recent reports indicate she was cut from Netflix’s official awards campaign due to resurfaced old social media posts containing racist comments, sparking a major industry controversy.

Zoe Saldaña as Rita Moro Castro

  • Full Name: Zoe Yadira Saldaña Nazario
  • Nationality: American (of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent)
  • Role in Film: Rita Moro Castro, an overlooked, brilliant Mexican lawyer who is recruited by Manitas del Monte to secretly facilitate his transition and new life. Her character is the narrative anchor for much of the film’s plot.
  • Career Highlight: Known globally for her roles in major franchises like Neytiri in Avatar and Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Guardians of the Galaxy).
  • Awards: Shared the Best Actress Award at Cannes. Her performance is widely considered a career-defining risk that has garnered significant Oscar buzz in the Supporting Actress category.

Selena Gomez as Jessy del Monte

  • Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
  • Nationality: American (of Mexican descent)
  • Role in Film: Jessy del Monte, the wife of the cartel leader Manitas del Monte, who struggles to accept the dramatic changes in her family and life.
  • Career Highlight: A multi-hyphenate star known for her acting in Only Murders in the Building, her music career, and her role as a producer.
  • Significance: Emilia Pérez marks her first major Spanish-speaking role in a feature film, which she has described as a chance to connect more deeply with her heritage and a role that "changed" her.

Adriana Paz

  • Full Name: Adriana Paz
  • Nationality: Mexican
  • Role in Film: A major supporting role, though specific character details are often kept under wraps to preserve plot twists. She is part of the powerful female quartet central to the story.
  • Career Highlight: An acclaimed Mexican actress, winner of three Ariel Awards (the Mexican equivalent of the Oscars) and a Goya nomination.
  • Awards: Shared the Best Actress Award at Cannes, solidifying her status as a major international talent.

Édgar Ramírez

  • Full Name: Édgar Filiberto Ramírez Arellano
  • Nationality: Venezuelan
  • Role in Film: A key supporting role, often seen in scenes with Selena Gomez.
  • Career Highlight: Known for his roles in Carlos (for which he received an Emmy nomination) and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

The Groundbreaking Plot and Musical Elements

Emilia Pérez is a cinematic anomaly: a Spanish-language musical crime thriller filmed in Mexico and directed by a French auteur, Jacques Audiard. The film is a bold exploration of identity, redemption, and the possibility of a second chance, all set against the backdrop of the brutal Mexican drug trade.

The story begins with Rita Moro Castro, a brilliant but underpaid lawyer in Mexico City, who is unexpectedly contacted by a powerful and ruthless cartel boss known as Manitas del Monte. The cartel boss makes a stunning proposition: he wants Rita to help him disappear and transition into a woman, whom he names Emilia Pérez.

The film then follows Emilia Pérez’s new life as she attempts to atone for her past crimes. She transforms from a violent criminal into a passionate activist, working to help the families of those who were victims of cartel violence. This complex narrative is interwoven with vibrant musical numbers, which serve to heighten the drama and express the characters' inner turmoil and desires—a signature move by director Jacques Audiard.

The Cannes Triumph and Oscar Campaign Controversy

The film’s premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 was met with a rapturous eight-minute standing ovation, immediately signaling its status as a major awards contender. The jury, led by Greta Gerwig, awarded Emilia Pérez the prestigious Jury Prize, second only to the Palme d'Or.

In an unprecedented decision, the festival’s Best Actress Award was given collectively to the four leading women: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. This collective win cemented the film’s reputation as a true ensemble piece and a major victory for Latin American representation in cinema.

The Gascón Campaign Fallout

The journey to the Academy Awards, however, has been fraught with controversy. Karla Sofía Gascón’s Oscar nomination for Best Actress was a historic moment for the transgender community in Hollywood. She became the first openly trans actor to be nominated in an acting category, drawing comparisons to the groundbreaking achievement of the film itself.

Unfortunately, this historic run was overshadowed by the resurfacing of old, offensive social media posts. The backlash was severe, leading Netflix, the film’s distributor, and her own publicity firm to reportedly cut ties with Gascón’s individual campaign efforts. This dramatic turn of events has created a complex situation, with publicists "frantically struggling to keep the film in the conversation" while navigating the controversy.

Despite the turmoil, the film’s artistic merit remains undeniable. The performances by Saldaña, Gomez, and Paz continue to receive high praise, ensuring that Emilia Pérez remains a powerful, if complicated, frontrunner in the 2025 awards season. The film's challenging themes of crime, redemption, and identity, combined with the real-life drama surrounding its cast, have made it one of the most talked-about movies of the year.

cast of emilia perez
cast of emilia perez

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