Actress removed from hit series refuses to be silent
Reverberations from the controversy surrounding the popular horror series continue unabated. Melissa Barrera, star of the last two "Scream" installments, was recently ejected from the follow-up project due to her online commentary on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Unwilling to falter, the actress is responding to the producers' reaction via her Instagram profile.
The Mexican actress signed on to the fifth "Scream" installation from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, which debuted early in 2022. A refreshed iteration of the series was unveiled the following year in the sixth take. Both films were a hit with audiences, causing a sensation on a relatively modest budget ($24 million and $35 million respectively), bringing in $127 million and $168 million. As a result, it was decided to capitalize on this success and continue the series with new characters.
Among these fresh faces were the Carpenter sisters, Sam and Tara, acted by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. However, neither actress is set to appear in the seventh episode of the series due to an unexpected twist of events. The latter officially stepped away due to numerous scheduling conflicts. It's posited that the star of Netflix's "Wednesday" was galvanized to this decision by the actions of the horror production company.
Accused of opposing Israel
The aforementioned Spyglass Media Group decided to end its off-screen relationship with Ortega's screen sister, 33-year-old Melissa Barrera, who has been active on her social media discussing the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The actress overtly expressed support for Palestine and condemned the actions of the former state. Calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, she also recently accused someone victimized by a terrorist organization's attack on October 7, 2023, of partaking in genocide and ethnic cleansing.
The production house behind the latest "Scream" entries released an online statement in response. The reply to Barrera's activity quoted by "Entertainment Weekly" among others, read: "We do not tolerate anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, which grossly crosses the line into hate speech," the horror producers wrote.
"No power is beyond criticism"
Barrera decided to retaliate against Spyglass's accusations via the same platform that landed her there - her Instagram stories. She uploaded her statement in a single slide.
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"Primarily, I condemn anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, as well as hate and ANY prejudice against ANY group of people," the actress asserted in defense against the production company's charges, and then drew attention to her heritage: "As a Latina, a proud Mexican, I feel obliged to use my platform, which grants me the privilege to be heard. I strive to raise awareness for issues that matter to me and to lend my voice to those who are silenced," she elaborated on her motivations.
"Everyone on Earth deserves equal human rights, dignity, and freedom—irrespective of faith, race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status," the third paragraph reads.
"I believe that a state is not synonymous with its leaders. I hold that no authority is immune to critique. I pray daily for an end to violence and death, and for peaceful coexistence. I will continue to speak out for those most in need while advocating for peace, security, human rights, and freedom. For me, silence is not an option," concluded the actress.
Barrera is not the only actress to have faced professional backlash over politically charged commentary on social media. Actress Susan Sarandon recently had her contract ended, also voiced views on Israel that displeased her superiors.
