The actress is baffled by the controversy regarding her pro-Palestine posts that led her to being dropped from the franchise, while calling her former co-star Jenna Ortega 'a good egg.'
- Jan 25, 2024
AceShowbiz - Melissa Barrera was apparently not that calm when she learned she was dropped from "Scream 7" a.k.a. "Scream VII" due to her pro-Palestine posts. Reflecting on her firing, the actress admitted that it was "shocking" at first, but now she's "at peace" with it.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in an interview published on Wednesday, January 24, the "Scream VI" star said of her firing, "It was shocking, I don't even know what to say." She admitted she was baffled by the controversy regarding her social media posts.
"I think everything that happened was very transparent, on both sides, and I know who I am," she argued, "and I know that what I said always came from a place of love and a place of humanity and a place of human rights and a place of freedom for people, which shouldn't be controversial. It shouldn't be up for debate."
Having no regret for standing by her stance on the Middle East conflict, the 33-year-old added, "So, I'm very at peace. The people who know me in my family know the truth about me and where I stand, and I think most people in the world also do."
During the interview, Barrera was also asked about Jenna Ortega's exit from "Scream 7". While the "Wednesday" star claimed that it was due to scheduling conflict, writer Marlo Stern suggested Ortega's explanation for exiting the movie "didn't seem like the whole story," adding, "It seemed like there was some sisterhood-solidarity going on."
"Listen, Jenna is a good egg," Barrera said in response to the speculation. "She's a good person and we love each other. She would show up for me and I would show up for her no matter what."
Ortega did subtly show her support to Barrera following the latter's firing. The "Beetlejuice 2" star liked celebrities4palestine's post that read, "Melissa Barrera Stands Her Ground After Being Dropped From Scream For Speaking Up For Palestine."
Meanwhile, Barrera previously defended her pro-Palestine posts. "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 stated.
Refusing to be silenced on the issue, she continued, "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," before concluding her statement by saying, "Silence is not an option for me."
Director Christopher Landon later also departed the project, likening it to "a nightmare." He announced in December on X, formerly Twitter, "I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it's time to move on."
