Melissa Barrera Finally Speaks Out After ‘Scream 7’ Firing

Melissa Barrera, the rebooted “Scream” franchise star, has been dropped from the upcoming film “Scream 7” due to her social media posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On Tuesday, Spyglass Media Group, the film’s production company, issued a statement confirming Barrera’s departure. The news comes after the actor shared several posts on Instagram in support of Palestinians on Tuesday.

Spyglass stated that its “stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

Barrera was posting to her Instagram Stories about the children that had died in Gaza, along with a video from a protest in Philadelphia that demanded an end to the “genocide in Gaza.” In recent weeks, she has shared content on the subject on a regular basis.

Barrera’s Instagram bio includes links to donate to Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children. On October 27th, she posted on her Instagram feed that she had signed Artists 4 Ceasefire’s open letter to President Joe Biden. She was among hundreds of actors, comedians, and musicians who called for a cease-fire in Gaza and Israel.

“We must end the bombing of Gaza, secure the safe release of all hostages, and demand adequate access for humanitarian aid to reach the people that desperately need it,” her caption reads.

Barrera initially chastised the media for taking a pro-Israeli stance in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Palestine.

“I have been actively looking for videos and information about the Palestinian side for the last 2 weeks or so, following accounts etc. Why? Because western media only shows the other side,” Barrera said in October posts. “Why they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself. Usually the algorithm on social media gets the gist. Well… My discover page on IG will ONLY show me videos showing and talking about the Israeli side. Censorship is very real. Palestinians know this, they know the world has been trying to make them invisible for decades. Keep sharing.”

A social media user shared screenshots of Barrera’s Instagram stories in which she discussed the global conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Almost all of Melissa Barrera’s IG Stories about Palestine: A thread. pic.twitter.com/DjrbJWt6RQ

— XLR8 (@OoXLR8oO) October 22, 2023

What did Melissa Barrera say about being fired from the ‘Scream’ franchise?

Melissa Barrera issued her first statement about her firing from Scream VII, nearly 24 hours after the news broke.

Barrera says she “condemns Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, as well as hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people” in a statement posted to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening.

“As a latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need,” the actor wrote in her post.

She added, “Every person on this earth- regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status- deserves equal human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom.”

The Scream V and Scream VI star defended her initial remarks, which were said to have put her in hot water because they were perceived as anti-Semitic.

“I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism,” she added. “I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence. I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom. Silence is not an option for me.”

How do you feel about Melissa Barrera speaking out for Palestinians?