The “campaign” for an Oscar has never been exactly “pretty.” The Marketing team is heavily involved in ensuring visibility, and in the final stretch, instead of merit, “strategy” often prevails. And yes, there is foul play behind the scenes, but social media has never been so evident as a “problem” as it is at the 2025 Oscars. What could “help” Fernanda Torres may, in the end, hurt her. Because fans are creating embarrassing situations for the actress.

Since winning the Golden Globes in the first week of January, Fernanda has become an international star, emerging as the Academy’s big favorite this year. Friendly, authentic, and professional, she has charmed everyone. The problem? For Brazilians, it’s like the “World Cup,” as if what we do with soccer weren’t embarrassing enough.

Campaigns praising Fernanda are multiplying on all social media accounts (I openly root for her myself), but by adopting the aggressive vibe of soccer, the Oscar party has become a scene of drama and shame.

First, they turned the opportunity into “revenge,” something extremely delicate, attacking actress Gwyneth Paltrow with negative and aggressive comments for her victory 25 years ago for Shakespeare in Love. To make matters worse, Gwyneth is rooting for Demi Moore, which the crazy people online consider to be “aggressive” opposition to Fernanda, as if it were spite and because she was against Fernanda Montenegro. Guys, Gwyneth doesn’t even know who either of the two Fernandas are; she can’t be attacked for anything in the world. She won because she was elected the best, even if Harvey Weinstein pressured her behind the scenes. There is no evidence of bad faith. It’s terrible for both Fernandas that people attack people based on assumptions.

On the other hand, in 2025 nothing is exactly “clean”. The fact that a 2008 video from Fantástico has resurfaced on social media right now showing Fernanda Torres using blackface to play a maid is no coincidence. The video was found and released to hurt Fernanda (confirming her favoritism).

In response to the criticism, Fernanda Torres immediately issued a public apology, stating that, at the time, awareness of the racism associated with blackface was not widespread in Brazil. She acknowledged that, although black movements had already denounced the practice, the understanding of its severity was not widespread. The actress emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions to avoid the normalization of racist practices.

And, as soon as this issue had cooled down, a second blow: actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who competes with Fernanda, has been the target of attacks on social media and has officially complained about the treatment she has been receiving from Fernanda’s Brazilian fans. “You will never see me speaking badly of Fernanda Torres or her film, but on the contrary, I see many people working with Fernanda Torres who speak badly of me and Emilia Pérez,” Karla told Folha.

The comment was enough for fans to suggest that Karla Sofía broke the rules of the party (no one can speak badly of the competition) and that Fernanda, once again, is being associated more with a row than with talent. Karla Sofía, who is the first openly trans person nominated for an acting Oscar, insisted that she had separated the facts: Fernanda is a “wonderful ally” and is not part of the problem. “In my recent comments, I was referring to the toxicity and violent hate speech on social media that I unfortunately continue to experience,” she said. “No one directly associated with her has been anything but supportive and extremely generous.”

Some online users circulated the clip of the Spanish actress’s interview, which was reviewed by the Academy, which concluded that “there was no violation of the campaign’s promotional rules.” The fact is, folks, that Cinema is not Football, and not even in Football should the level of harassment and violence that is circulating be tolerated.

Every discussion only hurts both actresses, even if it suggests Fernanda’s chance of winning. To make matters worse, Emilia Pérez has been heavily criticized for being an inauthentic portrayal of Mexican culture and the trans experience. The French film is spoken in English, with a story set in Mexico, and the director, Jacques Audiard, does not speak Spanish, did not film the musical in Mexico, nor did he cast Mexican actresses in any of its three main roles. Honestly, no one needs to talk about Karla Sofía, who is great in the title role.

Meanwhile, the Best Actress Oscar nominees alongside Karla Sofía and Fernanda – Demi Moore, Mikey Madison, and Cynthia Erivo – are virtually ignored. Voting ends on February 18: let’s behave ourselves until then? Fernanda Torres deserves love and respect, and not to be associated with vulgarity. She is above all that!

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