Conan O'Brien Goes There with a Karla Sofía Gascón Joke in His Oscars 2025 Opening Monologue — and She Reacts

Conan O'Brien isn't afraid to go there!

On Sunday, March 2, the comedy veteran, 61, hosted the 2025 Oscars and poked fun at Karla Sofía Gascón's recent controversies in his opening monologue.

"I loved Anora, I really did. Little fact for you, Anora uses the 'F' word 479 times. That's three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón's publicist," he quipped before the audience groaned. "You tweeted what?!"

"I'm having fun. Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight," O'Brien continued as the cameras panned to the Emilia Pérez actress sitting in the audience. With clasped hands, she bowed her head and blew a kiss before mouthing the words, "Thank you."

Related: Emilia Pérez: Why This Year's Most-Nominated Film Is Also the Most Controversial Oscar Contender

Gascón, 52, attended the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles wearing a single shoulder, diamond-studded black dress. She seemingly skipped the red carpet, but she was spotted inside the star-filled event in a photo captured by The Hollywood Reporter just before the show kicked off.

The actress had previously skipped several major award shows since facing backlash, and did not attending the Oscar nominee dinner at the Academy Museum on Tuesday, Feb. 25. She did, however, attend the recent 50th annual César Awards in Paris on Friday, Feb. 28, marking her first appearance at an event following backlash to old social-media posts of hers. She was nominated for best actress at the French event.

Emilia Pérez heads into Sunday's 97th Academy Awards as the most-nominated film, with 13 nods including Best Picture. Gascón, who plays the titular role, is the first openly transgender star to be nominated for Best Actress.

Related: Emilia Pérez Star Karla Sofía Gascón Attends 2025 Oscars amid Controversies But Skips the Red Carpet

Following her historic nomination, Gascón came under fire for old social media posts criticizing Muslim culture, George Floyd, diversity and more. The Spanish actress has since deactivated her X account and given several statements and interviews refuting accusations of racism.

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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 be thinking of his parents.

"I think they were very proud of the work I did, and they would've enjoyed this night," O'Brien said of his father Dr. Thomas O'Brien and mother Ruth Reardon O'Brien, who died in December at age 95 and 92, respectively, within days of each other.

Related: Oscars 2025: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's Performance, Conan O'Brien's Monologue, the First Winner and More Live Updates

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 the Emmys and White House Correspondents Dinner, also revealed to PEOPLE his rigorous prep for the big night, which included months of spit-balling jokes as well as watching all 35 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.

See PEOPLE's full coverage of the 97th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien and airing on ABC.

Read the original article on People