Melissa Barrera.Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
Melissa Barrerais speaking out after being fired fromScream 7over her social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war.
News broke Tuesday that Barrera, 33,will no longer star in the nextScreammovie.
In a statement, Spyglass, the studio behind the horror films, said 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.”
On Wednesday, Barrera shared a statement on herInstagram Story, writing, “First and foremost I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people.”
“As a Latina, a proud Mexicana,” she continued, “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.”
Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega in ‘Scream 6’.Philippe Bossé/PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Barrera continued, “Every person on the earth — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status — deserves equal human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom. I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism.”
“I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence,” theIn the Heightsactress wrote, adding, “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.”
She concluded, “Silence is not an option for me.”
Jasmin Savoy Brown, Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera at the “Scream VI” premiere on March 6, 2023.Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
In one written message from Barrera’s Instagram quoted inVariety’s report andcirculating on social mediaafter the news, she allegedly wrote, “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. Why they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself.”
Melissa Barrera.Unique Nicole/FilmMagic
Unique Nicole/FilmMagic
Barrera starred inScream’s two most recent entries, 2022’sScreamand this year’sScream VI, as Sam Carpenter.
Earlier on Wednesday it was reported that Barrera’s costarJenna Ortega, who plays Sam’s sister Tara,dropped out ofScream 7due to a scheduling conflict.
source: people.com
