Metro’s on Whatsapp!
Fired Scream actress Melissa Barrera slams ‘scabby’ co-stars and sequel
In November 2023, Barrera spoke out on Instagram to criticise the Israeli government’s assault on Gaza in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 attendees at a music festival.
She re-shared posts to her Instagram, including one from another user saying, ‘if you’re wondering how the world watched when genocides and ethnic cleansings happened… this is how’.
In another post to her page she said she came from a colonised country, posting a Mexican flag, and said ‘Palestine will be free’.
The actress, who has also starred in blockbuster musical In The Heights and Netflix’s Keep Breathing, also wrote: ‘Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity no water… People have learnt nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.’
In another post written by herself, she also shared: ‘Just like all Palestinians are NOT Hamas, All Jewish people are NOT the Israeli Govt. Do not blame, or hate on, a whole group of people because of what some are doing.’
A Spyglass spokesperson told Variety at the time: ‘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.’
In the wake of her firing, Scream 7’s director Christopher Landon is also reported to have tweeted and deleted: ‘Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.’
Barrera, who is currently on Broadway starring in the musical Titaníque, has said she is now focused on ‘building a slate, producing, and finding good companies to partner with’ and has ‘lists of all the people I want to work with’.
Asked who appears on her lists, the actress said she had ‘kept track of the people who vocally came out and said something to defend me at the time’.
‘Susan Sarandon. Tatiana Maslany. Hannah Einbinder. Poppy Liu. Obviously, Javier Bardem would be a dream to work with. He doesn’t need me to give him any opportunities,’ she replied.
‘But yes, I have lists. I do believe in building a network of people who are like-minded. And for me, this is chapter two.’
Metro has contacted reps for Neve Campbell, Spyglass and Paramount for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
