Conan O’Brien (left); Karla Sofía Gascon (right).Photo:Kevin Winter/Getty; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Kevin Winter/Getty; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Conan O’Brienisn’t afraid to go there!
On Sunday, March 2, the comedy veteran, 61, hosted the2025 Oscarsand poked fun atKarla Sofía Gascón’s recent controversies in his opening monologue.
“I’m having fun. Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight,” O’Brien continued as the cameras panned to theEmilia Pérezactress sitting in the audience. With clasped hands, she bowed her head and blew a kiss before mouthing the words, “Thank you.”
The actress had previously skipped several major award shows since facing backlash, and didnot attending the Oscar nominee dinnerat the Academy Museum on Tuesday, Feb. 25. She did, however, attend the recent 50th annual César Awards in Paris on Friday, Feb. 28, marking herfirst appearance at an eventfollowing backlash toold social-media postsof hers. She was nominated for best actress at the French event.
Emilia Pérezheads into Sunday’s 97th Academy Awards asthe most-nominated film, with 13 nods including Best Picture. Gascón, who plays the titular role, is thefirst openly transgender starto be nominated for Best Actress.
Karla Sofía Gascón in ‘Emilia Pérez’.PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA
PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA
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O’Brien is making his Oscars hosting debut with the 97th annual Academy Awards.
When discussing the Oscars gig with PEOPLE, the former late-night show host said amid all the excitement of hosting Hollywood’s biggest night, he’d also bethinking of his parents.
“I think they were very proud of the work I did, and they would’ve enjoyed this night,” O’Brien said ofhis father Dr. Thomas O’Brien and mother Ruth Reardon O’Brien, whodiedin December at age 95 and 92, respectively, within days of each other.
Conan O’Brien attends the 2013 TNT/TBS Upfront on May 15, 2013 in New York.Christopher Polk/WireImage
Christopher Polk/WireImage
O’Brien expressed that though they’ve passed, his parents will be very present to him on Oscars night.
“I’ll still be thinking about them on Oscar night and trying to get them to laugh,” he says. “That is kind of a comfort.”
The comedian, who has twice emceed theEmmysandWhite House Correspondents Dinner, also revealed to PEOPLE hisrigorous prepfor the big night, which included months of spit-balling jokes as well as watching all35 nominated feature films. While much of the night is dedicated to high-profile celebrities, O’Brien said he was eager to “lift people up” across the entertainment community.
“It’s a celebration of an entire industry and people from every walk of life who give their blood, sweat and tears for show business,” O’Brien told PEOPLE.
source: people.com
