Melissa Barrera Breaks Silence After ‘Scream’ Firing: ‘I Condemn Hate’

Melissa Barrera released a statement a day after being fired from Scream VII following her pro-Palestine posts on social media, and hours after news broke that her co-star Jenna Ortega would not be returning for the new film as well.

On Wednesday, the Mexican actress shared an Instagram Story condemning antisemitism, and adding that she would continue to speak on the conflict, writing “Silence is not an option for me.”

“I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people,” she started her note. “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.”

Barrera continued by saying that “every person on this earth” deserves “equal 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,” Barrera added. “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.”

The new post comes a day after Spyglass Media Group — the production company behind the Scream films — fired Barrera following her social media posts in support of Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war, claiming they have “zero tolerance” for antisemitism.

“Spyglass’ 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,” a Spyglass spokesperson said in a statement to Variety.

Since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7, the Mexican actress has been sharing pro-Palestine messaging, including a “Compassion Must Prevail” image with a caption pleading that President Joe Biden “call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza.”

Also on Wednesday, several news outlets reported that Ortega will not be returning but that her departure was “apparently not influenced” by Barrera’s firing, though the timing leaves room for speculation that there may be more to the story.

Ortega, too, has been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on her Instagram account.

Barrera was set to star in Scream VII after she played the leading role of Sam Carpenter in the fifth and sixth Scream sequels. Ortega played Barrera’s half-sister Tara.

From Rolling Stone US.