Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher believes that “cancel culture” still exists, even if its methods have evolved. He made this statement during a conversation with David Sedaris on his talk show, Real Time with Bill Maher.
Maher referenced the recent controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón’s tweets, which resurfaced after she won several awards at the Oscars. However, it was announced that Emilia Pérez, who had also been nominated for Best Actress, would be taking home the top prize instead.
“This is good news for Anora,” Maher said, referring to the film that ultimately won the award. “Hollywood loved the idea of finally having a trans person win Best Actress and make history.” However, when Gascón’s tweets resurfaced, they sparked outrage from some in the woke community, who deemed her comments as too far.
Maher likened one of Gascón’s tweets to something a child would write, saying “It was a little Kanye-esque, just whatever’s on the brain comes out.” He also noted that while Gascón apologized for her past comments, they still caused hurt and that cancel culture is still present in the industry.
The Oscars controversy highlights Maher’s point that cancel culture may be more subtle than people think. Instead of public shaming, it can manifest through awards show snubs or nominations.
Gascón attended the Oscars despite controversy surrounding her past tweets, which made offensive remarks about Muslims and the Black Lives Matter movement. In response to the backlash, she issued a heartfelt apology, stating that she was “deeply sorry” for causing pain.
The film Anora ultimately took home top honors, including Best Picture and Directing. The win was seen as a surprise by some, but Maher believes it was due to its unique qualities and lack of controversy surrounding its past.
In contrast, Emilia Pérez’s film received praise from some critics, who noted its efforts and uniqueness despite not being perfect. However, the film ultimately fell short in terms of quality compared to Anora.
Maher’s comments on “cancel culture” have sparked debate among viewers, with some accusing him of being a bigot for speaking out against Emilia Pérez’s win. However, Maher claims he is simply standing up for what he believes is right and that the controversy surrounding Gascón’s tweets was too much to overcome.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/03/bill-maher-anora-oscars-win-emilia-perez-cancel-culture-1236314806