Netflix’s award-winning musical crime comedy Emilia Perez has ignited its share of controversy, and star Karla Sofía Gascón is addressing that backlash. Gascón leads the star-studded film as a former Mexican cartel leader, Juan “Manitas” Del Monte, who embarks on a transformative journey to become the titular character. For her portrayal, Gascón has garnered critical acclaim, a Cannes Film Festival win, and is a major awards season contender. Should she receive an Oscar nod for Best Actress – and she is expected to – Gascón will be the first openly trans woman to earn a nomination in the category. She’s already made history as the first trans woman in the Golden Globes’ Best Actress race (that win went to co-star Zoe Saldaña).