- Melissa Barrera was recently fired from the new 'Scream' film
- The story was shrouded with controversy at first
- THIS is how Melissa feels about the incident in hindsight
Melissa is certainly an example for other young starlets. The 'Keep Breathing' star, who has become a fan-favorite scream queen, recently opened up to 'Deadline' at the star-studded Sundance Film Festival's kickoff, expressing her enduring pride in her contributions to the iconic 'Scream' franchise.
It was for the best after all
Despite her undeniable success in the series, Barrera faced a shocking exit over the Thanksgiving weekend, following a controversial social media post regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, which she labeled as "GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING."
"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," she posted.
The producing studio, Spyglass, swiftly severed ties, citing a "zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate."
Barrera's response was one of unwavering conviction: "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. Silence is not an option for me."
The 'Scream' series has since witnessed a domino effect, with Jenna Ortega and director Christopher Landon also making their exits. Landon lamented the situation on Twitter/X, describing his dream job that "turned into a nightmare."
Yet, amidst the turmoil, Barrera shines on.
At Sundance, she premiered her latest horror flick, 'Your Monster,' directed by Caroline Lindy, and teased another spine-chiller, "Abigail," set to release this spring. The actress also cherishes the bond with her Scream co-stars, dubbing them "family for life" and sharing heartwarming reunion moments on Instagram.
"If we’re ever in the vicinity of each other, we always find each other and that’s what happened at that event,” she explained, referring to a sweet reunion photo she posted on Instagram earlier this week. “When we find each other, we just want to spend the night with each other, and nothing is ever going to change that."
"Honestly, I think I finally am becoming who I’m supposed to be in life, and the last few months have been a big awakening of that," she told the 'Associated Press' at the premiere of Your Monster. "I’m just so grateful for everything that’s happened."
The state of Scream 7 has largely been up in the air since Barrera's firing. Spyglass Studios' 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."
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Meanwhile, Barrera showcased her new film at Sundance. According to 'Deadline', "In the pic, Barrera plays a soft-spoken actress, who finds her voice again after she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster living in her closet."
It looks like a big comeback on top for her then!
As the curtain falls on this latest chapter of Hollywood drama, Melissa Barrera stands tall, proving that even in the face of adversity, her spirit is as indomitable as the characters she portrays. The horror queen's legacy is far from over; it's just getting another blood-curdling scream.
