Melissa Barrera Says Being Fired From 'Scream' Was A 'Big Awakening'

Months after Melissa Barrera was let go from the 'Scream'franchise, the actress is speaking out and admitting that the move was a "big awakening."

As you know, it was announced last year that Barrera, who portrays one of the main characters, Samantha Carpenter, in the newest ‘Scream’ films, would not return for the upcoming movie after she posted to social media, taking a stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

At the time, the actress stated that “Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp" and "people have learned nothing from our histories."

In November 2023, Barrera took to her Instagram Stories to slam Israel, sharing:

“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity no water … People have learnt nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it all happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.”

Afterward, the actress shared a placard that read, “Palestine WILL be free,” adding, “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.”

Shortly after the posts were shared on social media, it was announced that Barrera would not return for the upcoming 'Scream' movie. Now, she is speaking out on how that move has changed her life.

At the time of her firing, Spyglass, the company behind the seventh ‘Scream’ movie, said they "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.”

Barrera then said that she was using her social media platforms "to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need."

Adding, "First and foremost I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people."

Now, months later, Melissa Barrera is speaking out about how that firing has changed her life.

“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 Sundance Film Festival. “I’m just so grateful for everything that’s happened.”

The actress is celebrating the premiere of her new movie, 'Your Monster', a romantic comedy-horror film that was released on Thursday, January 18.

Barrera is not the only actress not returning to the 'Scream' franchise, as Jenna Ortega has announced she cannot reprise her role in 'Scream VII' due to a scheduling conflict with her Netflix show, 'Wednesday'.

Additionally, Neve Campbell, who portrayed the iconic Sydney Prescott, announced her departure from the franchise due to a contract dispute.

“Sadly, I won’t be making the next ‘Scream’ film,” Campbell admitted at the time. “As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to ‘Scream’,” she continued.

As you know, Campbell had been the star in every 'Scream' film leading up to her exit, making her the face of the franchise. Because of this, Campbell said she felt she deserved more pay, however, the company didn’t seem to agree. “I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise,” the ‘Scream’ star said of the contract dispute.

It is unclear at this time the direction 'Scream VII' will take now that three of the stars will no longer be part of the franchise.