Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) invites new members to join its ranks, as it is one of the most prestigious honorary organizations in the film industry. With over 10,000 members, only actors or producers who have made significant contributions to the industry are invited. For instance, the 2025 class comprises 534 individuals from 60 countries.
While Hollywood hasn't done the best job when it comes to representation and diversity, both on and off the screen, in recent decades, it has made an effort to rectify some of its most egregious past mistakes. According to Variety, the "Academy's ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion, and equity, this year's invitees include 41% self-identifying women, 45% are racial and ethnic communities, and 55% are international members."
It's customary for first-time nominees, and of course, winners, to receive an invitation. Some notable examples from this year's class include Kieran Culkin, Ariana Grande, Mikey Madison, Margaret Qualley, and Sebastian Stan, who were recognized this year for their performances in A Real Pain, Wicked, Anora, The Substance, and The Apprentice, respectively.
Other categories besides Actors for which people are considered and invited are Animation, Artist Representatives, Associates, Casting Directors, Cinematographers, Costume Designers, Directors, Documentary, Executives, Film Editors, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists, Marketing and Public Relations, Music, Producers, Production and Technology, Short Films, Sound, Visual Effects, and Writers.
However, there was a glaring omission from this year's list of members: Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón. Gascón made history as the first openly transgender person to be nominated for the Best Actress category for her role in the controversial film Emilia Pérez, directed by the equally contentious French director, Jacques Audiard.
Gascón had been acting for several years, most notably in the Mexican film Nosotros los Nobles, which garnered her popularity within the Latin and Mexican communities. Gascón starred in this Mexican production before transitioning, and she played Karla Souza's partner who secretly plots to steal her family's fortune. Still, it wasn't until she starred as the druglord Manitas, later transitioning into Emilia Pérez, in the 2024 film, which earned her international fame and a nomination for the coveted Oscar prize.
While Gascón's performance was praised, her behavior on social media was scrutinized and rightly called out after a series of egregious tweets made headlines for being considered offensive, racist, and Islamophobic. Gascón lamented her actions and deleted her tweets, but it was a little too late for critics and audiences alike.
Netflix removed its support for Gascón and instead promoted the prominence of Gascón's co-star, Zoe Saldaña, who was notably nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Saldaña later won an Oscar, amid critiques after failing to show support to the vocal Hispanic community who continuously spoke out against the film's insensitive tones.
Gascón was vocally upset not only for being shunned by her peers but also for the public scrutiny she faced after being platformed as a trailblazer. After the Oscar ceremony on March 2, 2025, Gascón has kept a low public profile ever since.
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