Oscar nominee Karla Sofía Gascon, 52, was in floods of tears during an hour-long interview on Sunday as she defended herself against accusations of racism stemming from controversial social media posts.
The Emilia Perez star, who made history as the first trans woman nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, addressed a series of inflammatory tweets uncovered last week.
Gascon deactivated her social media after posts were uncovered by writer Sarah Hagi, that derided Muslim dress codes, described George Floyd as "a drug addict swindler", and questioned diversity at the Academy Awards ceremony.
The unauthorised interview with CNN en Espanol saw Gascon alternating between apologies and defiant responses as she discussed posts about George Floyd, Islam, and an alleged tweet about co-star Selena Gomez.
"My sincerest apologies to everyone who may have felt offended by the way I express myself in my past, present, and future," she said through tears.
Gascon broke down several times during her interview
CNN en Espanol
The actress claimed she has endured "very, very difficult days" since the controversy erupted.
During the interview, Gascón insisted she could relate to the struggles of oppressed peoples throughout history.
"I feel and very much identify with the people who were thrown off buses for the colour of their skin, with the people who did not want them to study at university, for the people who were hated simply for existing, like how I am hated in this moment," she said.
"I have not stopped receiving hate, death threats, insults, abuses," the 52-year-old told interviewer Juan Carlos Arciniegas.
Despite becoming emotional, Gascon fiercely defended herself
CNN en Espanol
She emphasised repeatedly that she is "not a racist" and claimed she had been "judged, condemned, sacrificed, crucified, and stoned without a trial and without the opportunity to defend myself."
Addressing her controversial George Floyd tweet, Gascón acknowledged writing the post but claimed it was misunderstood.
She explained that she had treated social media "unfortunately more like a diary" filled with "reflections rather than like something that can influence someone."
The actress defended her tweet by saying she was attempting to highlight others' racist commentary. She explained: "He was a person who had been in a very difficult situation in his life and no one had helped him, and suddenly he becomes a symbol of a cause and everyone loved him.
"But for someone to think that...I have ever insulted a person because of their skin color, I do not allow that to anyone, to anyone."
Gascón also completely denied writing a tweet that allegedly insulted her Emilia Perez co-star Selena Gomez, even suggesting it had been fabricated to damage her Oscar campaign.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Gascon is the first trans woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar
CNN en Espanol
When asked if she would renounce her historic Oscar nomination amid the controversy, Gascon remained resolute.
"I cannot renounce a nomination because what I have done is a job and what is being valued is my acting work," she stated.
The actress insisted she had no reason to step down, saying: "I cannot renounce a nomination either because I have not committed any crime nor have I harmed anyone."
Despite this, she insisted "I don't give a damn about awards."
"What I do care about is the people that I represent, because of what I represent in this world," she concluded.
