Part 4/10:
The film’s lead actress, Carla Sophia Gascone—whose biological sex is male—transcended Hollywood norms by becoming the first transgender actor to be nominated for an Oscar. This milestone, celebrated by some as progress, has paradoxically fueled both applause and controversy. On the red carpet, Gascone’s appearance blurred traditional notions of gender, prompting disbelief among viewers and critics alike that they could not tell that she was transgender without being told.
Her nomination sparked discussions about identity, representation, and the direction Hollywood is headed. Critics on both sides debated whether such recognition was deserved or simply a product of identity politics overriding merit.