‘My most sincere apologies to all the people who may have been offended’: when Oscar campaigns implode

Whether it’s tricky past social posts, news meltdowns or PR teams trying too hard to make an impact, here are some past examples of self-sabotaged awards campaigns

The star of trans gangster musical Emilia Pérez had already collected some grief over the film’s portrayal of Mexico, where it was set but not shot, and whether or not it was a step forward for trans representation. Writer-director Jacques Audiard apologised and the controversy didn’t seem to massively hurt the film’s Oscar chances, as it led the 2025 field with 13 nominations including best actress for Gascón. However, a few days later, a journalist inspected Gascón’s social media feed and found a string of inflammatory posts, including one that described Islam as “a hotbed for infection for humanity that urgently need[s] to be cured”. Gascón has since been on a contrition tour, including a tearful, hour-long interview with CNN in which she declared: “My most sincere apologies to all the people who may have felt offended by the ways I express myself in my past, in my present and in my future”, but it looks like there’s no way back.

Topics

Early Investors in Donald Trump’s Memecoin May Have Been Tipped Off, Experts Claim

Within moments of Donald Trump announcing his new coin, traders made high-value bets that quickly paid off. Did they have an edge?
Wired - 3d
Experts ask why Black Hawk chopper may have been flying above allowed altitude

This data point is one of several key mysteries investigators are exploring as they seek to explain what caused the nation's worst air disaster in more than a decade, aviation experts said.
CBS News - 3d
Dozens of people have been injured in a stampede at India's massive Hindu festival, local media report

Dozens of people have been injured in a stampede at India's massive Hindu festival, local media report
ABC News - 5d
Selena Gomez deletes tearful video: 'All my people are getting attacked'

A video showing Selena Gomez sobbing while saying "All my people are getting attacked" with an image of the Mexican flag appears to have been deleted from her social media page amid the new Trump ...
The Hill - Jan. 27
Roman Kemp: ‘Here’s all my faults. Have ’em. Enjoy’

With famous parents, Roman Kemp always knew people would make certain judgments about him – but he never guessed he’d become an advocate for mental health. Here, he talks about radio, tattoos – and ...
The Guardian - Jan. 26
Over 60M kids' data may have been stolen: What you need to know

More than 62 million students and 9.5 million teachers may have had their data stolen, according to a new report.
The Hill - Jan. 24
Deaths of 56 babies at NHS trust may have been preventable, BBC told

Two whistleblowers also believe the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity units are unsafe.
BBC News - Jan. 17
A New Mario Kart May Have Been Revealed In Switch 2 Trailer

Nintendo has seemingly revealed what looks like a brand-new Mario Kart game for the Switch 2 in the console's trailer.. Near the end of the Switch 2's reveal trailer, Mario Kart footage of Mario, ...
GameSpot - Jan. 16
No matter who wins the natty, it will have been a long time coming

Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas and Ohio State all have a chance to add to their storied -- and at times tortured -- histories.
ESPN - Jan. 8