Melissa Barrera Opens up After Scream Controversy

Mexican actress, Melissa Barrera joined the Scream franchise in 2022. In October of 2023, she was fired from the franchise for speaking up about the war in Gaza.

melissa barrera the woman that you are pic.twitter.com/Z71W65snoe

— best of melissa barrera (@barrerazip) March 28, 2024

Since her departure from the franchise, the interview with The Hollywood Reporter marks her first official comments about her career and life.

Despite rumors at the time that Barrera was getting dropped by WME, she opened up on the support she received from her team at the time. “I had a lot of support from the people around me: my team and specifically my publicists — they just carried me,” she stated.

melissa barrera you will always be loved by me

— mads !loves sam (@hellosamanthas) March 28, 2024

To talk about the ongoing conflict in Gaza back in 2023, no matter which side, was very controversial. Melissa Barrera was one of the first stars to openly post about it on her social media, which cost her her spot in the Scream franchise. Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind Scream, fired her for her posts.

“It was just all sad because I really, deeply care about the franchise. It’s just bad that it had to happen like that,” she told THR. However, Barrera is not completely opposed to making a comeback to Scream as she cares about the franchise. 

“I’ve learned to never say never, but also a lot of things would have to happen for Sam to come back, for now, next page, next chapter, and then we’ll see what the future holds,” she expressed.

at the end of the day melissa barrera will always be famous!! pic.twitter.com/l2kS4fr7P2

— drea (@carpenterIuvbot) March 28, 2024

Additionally, Jenna Ortega was set to be the new main character of the franchise, and the fans of both the actress and the film loved that. The on-screen sisters are still close friends, and Barrera shared how much support she received from Ortega. Later, it was announced Ortega was also not coming back to the film, and the reason is still not revealed. There were rumors of schedule conflicts with the production on Wednesday, but Ortega liked a post supporting Barrera for speaking up about the conflicts.

“We chatted for a while, and I love her so much. She’s been very supportive of me, and we’re sisters for life,” Barrera stated.

I can’t wait to support Abigail when that movie comes out. Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, AND Dan Stevens? I’m signed up pic.twitter.com/W4BsteR9sd

— Davis Walden (@daviswaldeniv) March 24, 2024

Melissa Barrera’s new project is a horror/thriller directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, the director of Scream 5 and Scream 6. The cast includes the late Euphoria actor Angus Cloud, SAG Awards nominee Kathryn Newton, and Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito.

Abigail is coming to theaters on April 19. You can watch the trailer below.