Karla Sofía Gascón Says She Has ‘Nothing to Hide’ as Controversies Continue

Karla Sofía Gascón says she has “nothing to hide” as she continues to face backlash over her controversial social media posts.

The Emilia Pérez Oscar nominee, 52, took to Instagram on Tuesday, Feb. 4 to share a statement in which she implored members of the media to advise her on how she should “move forward,” five days after journalist Sarah Hagi shared screenshots of posts Gascón made between 2016 and 2021 that displayed comments about Muslim culture, George Floyd, diversity and more.

“For years, I have given myself body and soul to The Emilia Pérez Family. As I always do with everything I love and believe in. Today, more than ever, I want to thank those who have recognized my work, the festivals that have celebrated our film, and every person who has been part of this journey,” Gascón wrote in a Spanish-language statement translated via Instagram. “To my team, my colleagues, the extraordinary Jacques Audiard, our production company, the incredible crew, the press and, above all, to those who have supported and understood my process.”

“In these last few days, I have been through a roller coaster of emotions. I have been transparent because I have nothing to hide,” she added, noting that many of the controversial comments she made in the past came when she “felt lost in my transition, seeking approval in the eyes of others.”

“But today, I finally know who I am. I only seek the freedom to exist without fear, to create art without barriers and to move forward with my new life,” she added. “They want to apply ‘cancel culture’ to me.”

“I ask the Hollywood experts, the journalists who know me and who have followed my career, how do I move forward?” Gascón finished in her post, as she tagged dozens of entertainment news media outlets.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Gascón is nominated for Best Actress at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony and at the forefront of an awards campaign that saw Emilia Pérez receive 13 total Oscar nods, most among all movies nominated. She is also nominated for her performance at the upcoming Critics Choice Awards on Friday, Feb. 7 and SAG Awards on Sunday, Feb. 23.

Despite the snowballing controversies, Gascón told CNN en Español during an interview that aired Sunday, Feb. 2 that she would not consider renouncing her Oscar nomination. (Her nomination marks the first time an openly transgender woman has been nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.)

“I cannot step down from an Oscar nomination because I have not committed any crime, nor have I harmed anyone,” she said in that interview, per CNN. “I am neither racist nor anything that all these people have tried to make others believe I am.”