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‘It felt like I was invisible’: Melissa Barrera on the aftermath of taking a stand for Gaza

‘It felt like I was invisible’: Melissa Barrera on the aftermath of taking a stand for Gaza

The actor, who was fired from the Scream franchise for calling out Netanyahu, recalled experiencing times when she felt her life had ended.
27 Nov, 2024

Melissa Barrera is opening up about the darkest year of her life after facing a major career setback for taking a stand for Gaza. In a candid interview with The Independent, the actor shared her journey of self-discovery following her firing from the Scream franchise.

A year ago, Barrera became known as a staunch advocate for Palestine. She actively called out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his regime’s atrocities in Gaza.

“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp,” she wrote in an Instagram story in October 2023. “This is genocide and ethnic cleansing.” In another post, she talked about the struggle to find news stories on Palestinian suffering. “Western media only shows the other side. Why they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself. We don’t need more hate. No Islamophobia. No antisemitism,” she wrote.

Spyglass, the studio behind the latest Scream films, immediately dropped Barrera from the franchise. “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,” the company said in a statement following her removal.

Barrera released her own statement, saying she condemned “antisemitism and Islamophobia,” and hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people. “I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism.”

Reflecting on that time, Barrera told the outlet, “It was the darkest and hardest year of my life, and I had to reevaluate everything. There were times when I felt like my life was over.”

For nearly 10 months after getting fired, the actor recalled how substantial job offers were scarce. While smaller roles trickled in, the overarching sentiment seemed to be that she was “desperate” for roles.

“It was quiet for, like, 10 months. I was still getting offers for small things here and there — I’m not going to lie and say there was nothing — but the message was, like, ‘Oh, she probably doesn’t have work, she’ll say yes to anything,’” Barrera explained.

“I would get [roles] that I wasn’t excited about, and I’ve never been a person that just wants to work for work’s sake. I give so much of myself to acting that if a part of me feels like it’s not worth it, I’m gonna be miserable,” she added.

The professional lull forced Barrera to reassess her personality beyond her acting career. “For the longest time, I gave myself value as a human because of my work. So when I saw it potentially ending, I was like, who even am I? And I realised that I’m so much more than just an actor — I’m a great sister, a great daughter, a great friend.”

Barrera expressed mixed emotions when reflecting on her time in the Scream franchise. “They gave me a lot in my career. I made really good friends. I have such loyal fans from those movies.” However, the firing and subsequent backlash remain a sore point. Fans also frequently bring up the controversy when they meet her, she said.

The series itself has shifted directions, with the seventh instalment starring Neve Campbell. Barrera also recalled getting sympathy for what happened to her from fans and how uncomfortable that made her, making her feel like she failed at something.

“They’re like, ‘What they did to you is so messed up, I’m so sorry that happened!’ And it’s something, I think, that’s never going to end. Because the franchise is never going to end. So while I still have so much love for [those movies], the reminders of that very sour moment make it a little bit weird,” she said.

Right after Barrera’s dismissal, Campbell agreed to return for the forthcoming Scream VII, which divided fans of the franchise. Some, out of respect for Barrera, pledged to boycott subsequent installments, while others, out of loyalty to the series’ original heroine, pledged full allegiance to Campbell.

When asked if she had any thoughts on the divide, Barrera said, “I think there have always been Scream factions. If they want to go watch the next one? Cool. If they don’t? Also cool. You just gotta act according to how you preach. And that depends on what you value, what your morals are, and whether you can separate them from art or not. Some people can’t listen to R Kelly or Michael Jackson, or watch Woody Allen films anymore. And then there are people who don’t care.”

After months of uncertainty, Barrera is once again finding her footing in Hollywood. She is currently filming an espionage series for Peacock alongside Simu Liu, which she describes as a revitalising experience. “It felt like I was invisible, and then all of a sudden, there was a switch that made me visible again,” she shared.

This new project has helped her regain confidence. As she continues to rebuild, Barrera is focused on aligning herself with collaborators who share her values and vision. “I was stuck in the dunes for a while, and now I feel like my feet are moving, I have an oxygen tank, and I’m, like … going up.”

Comments

Ahmed Nov 27, 2024 01:33pm
More power to this queen. I wonder if she was kicked out as sometime directors decide to make changes based on the needs of the film. Kinda like a commentator said about the Palestinian actress being kicked out of Gladiator 2. Maybe there is Anti- Palestinianism in the film industry and people just aren't snart enough to accept it.
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Free Palestine Nov 27, 2024 03:59pm
What happening in Gaza in the last one year is unacceptable to anyone in the world, Israeli forces killing innocent civilians in thousands and thousands in the last one year and the UN despite all efforts failed to stop Israelis atrocities in Gaza. It’s very sad. Please stop this madness in Gaza now.
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Multani Nov 27, 2024 06:25pm
Seems no one is interested in Gaza in USA, Ukraine is more important..
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shahzad khaliq Nov 27, 2024 06:27pm
Gaza not only hurt Muslims, but the right conscious-minded non muslims like Barrera, are alsoo badly effected at the bloodshed against inncent people. Humanity sans religion!
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MBA Nov 27, 2024 07:22pm
I am only an engineer working as consultant in Europe, but my experince is similar. Naming the Gaza situation as it is - a planned Genocide is labelled as "anti-semitic" even by some of my German friend with whom I shared political work for decaeds! I gave up discussing the issue.
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Anonymouseee Nov 27, 2024 07:38pm
We stand united with Miss Barrera and wish her all the best for staying on the correct side of history. Hollywood is full of Islamophobe directors and producers and I’m not surprised at all that they support genocide in Gaza and elsewhere.
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Looking GLASS Nov 27, 2024 08:52pm
Apparently, it is perfectly acceptable to most of the Muslim world in general and Arabs in particular! SHAME ON ALL OF THEM!!!
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Ehsan Nov 27, 2024 09:35pm
That’s the influence of this country
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Laila Nov 28, 2024 12:34am
@Free Palestine You mean what's been happening in ALL of Palestine not just Gaza since 1948.
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Rama Nov 28, 2024 05:52am
People think they are avenger heroes or heroines in real world
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Pi Nov 28, 2024 06:07am
If you read 500 or 1000 years world history, one can be of different opinion. We don’t hear any protest or voice for that.
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Multani Nov 28, 2024 06:53am
Gaza will have to return all hostages to make peace while all its infrastructure is destroyed, really what did Gaza achieve in the end except misery for its people and start all over again poor.
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Asif Nov 28, 2024 07:43am
American way is to commit unimaginable death, destruction and despair and apologize later by making a Hollywood movie.
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Laila Nov 29, 2024 02:34am
@Ahmed No Palestinian actress was kicked out a film. An Egyptian actress had her scenes cut. As many actors have experienced over decades irrespective of their ethnicity or nationality. You get cast paid but there's no guarantee your scenes won't get cut unless you're the lead. You really must read the articles before commenting. That's the only solution. Maybe there is a victimhood mentality with the present war and some unsmart people are desperately trying to to connect any setback of any Arab with the perceived "anti palestinianism". Also Palestinian and Arab actors in general are doing great in Hollywood and European cinema. More so than desi actors.
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Laila Nov 29, 2024 02:40am
@Multani Is that why there have been protests in all major cities in the US from Los Angeles to New York, from North to South and repeatedly FOR the Palestinians? Is that why American politicians Muslims and non Muslim have spoken out for Palestine publicly and criticized the administration? I do not see the same effort or protests for Ukraine. If you are going to argue something, kindly stick to facts. Even some celebrities in Hollywood have been protesting for Palestine.
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