‘Emilia Pérez’ Trans Star Karla Sofía Gascón Delivers Powerful Speech At Golden Globes: ‘I Am Who I Am’

The film Emilia Pérez dominated Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, taking home four trophies, including Best Comedy or Musical. At the heart of the celebration was Karla Sofía Gascón, the film’s trans lead, who delivered a heartfelt and empowering speech while accepting the night’s top honor.

“I chose these colors tonight, the Buddhist colors, because I have a message for you: The light always wins over darkness,” Gascón said tearfully on stage. “You can maybe put us in jail. You can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, our existence, our identity. And I want to say to you: Raise your voice for freedom. I am who I am, not who you want. Thank you so much.”

Directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez is an unconventional musical about a Mexican drug lord (Gascón) who undergoes gender affirmation surgery. The film co-stars Selena Gomez as the kingpin’s estranged wife and Zoe Saldaña as a high-powered lawyer.

In addition to winning Best Comedy or Musical, Emilia Pérez also claimed awards for Best Non-English Language Film, Best Supporting Actress for Saldaña, and Best Original Song for “El Mal.”

For Gascón, 52, Emilia Pérez marks a breakout moment in her career. After transitioning in 2018 following years as a beloved telenovela star in Mexico, she feared her decision would jeopardize her acting future. “I was at the border of suicide,” Gascón revealed to USA Today last fall. “I always thought I was going to have to give up this work that I love and that I would end up on the streets.”

Despite her successes, including a Best Actress win at the Cannes Film Festival last May, Gascón continues to face transphobic attacks online and in the media.

“There are people who think they can destroy others whom they consider weak, but they found their match with me. I’m a warrior,” she said.