Melissa Barrera broke her silence when she was released Scream VII about her comments on the war between Israel and Hamas.
“First and foremost, I condemn anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,” Barrera, 33, wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, November 22. “I condemn any form of hatred and prejudice against any group of people.”
The actress noted that “as a Latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel a responsibility to have a platform that gives me the privilege to be heard,” adding that she has tried to use her celebrity status as a way to ‘raise awareness of issues’. I care about those in need and lend my voice.”
On Tuesday, November 21, news broke that Barrera – who will star as Samantha Carpenter in 2022 Scream and 2023 Scream 6 – was released from the next Scream film for her comments on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (The franchise lost its previous final girl, No Campbelldue to financial disputes ahead Scream 6.)
“Every person on this earth – regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status – deserves equal human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom,” Barrera continued in her statement on Wednesday. “I believe that a group of people is NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism.”
Barrera concluded the message by saying that she “prays day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence and for peaceful coexistence.”
“I will continue to speak out for those who need it most and advocate for peace and security, for human rights and freedom,” she wrote. “Silence is not an option for me.”
After news broke that Barrera had been cut from the film, Spyglass, the production company behind the new batch, decided Scream sequels, released a statement about the decision to let her go.
“Spyglass’ position is unequivocally clear: we have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that flagrantly crosses the line hate speech,” their statement said. Variety read.
The director of Scream VII, Christopher Landon, also responded to Barrera’s firing on Tuesday in a since-deleted Tweet, writing: “Here’s my statement: 💔 Everything sucks. Stop shouting. This was not my decision.”
This was announced earlier on Wednesday Jenna Ortega would also not be reprising her role as Tara Carpenter, Barrera’s younger sister, as the 21-year-old will be busy with her filming schedule for season 2 of Netflix’s Wednesdayaccording to Deadline.
Filming for the Tim Burton The series will begin in April 2024. According to the outlet, the cast is expected to remain abroad in Ireland until later that summer. Ortega is also filming Beetlejuice 2 Michael Keaton And Winona ryderwhich is scheduled for release in May 2024.