I spoke out for peace: Melissa Barrera on losing roles after supporting Gaza

Melissa Barrera is launching her own production company and wants to collaborate with openly pro-Palestine creatives

Actor Melissa Barrera recently sat down with Variety to discuss the fallout she faced after speaking out about Gaza and calling for peace following the October 7 attacks. Barrera revealed that sharing fundraising links and publicly supporting Palestine led to her removal from Scream 7 and her departure from WME.

At the time, the agency described her posts as “antisemitic” and accused her of “incitement of hate.”

 

 

 

 

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Responding to the accusations in her interview, Barrera rejected the claims and said, “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 actor shared that nearly a year after the controversy, work opportunities had almost completely disappeared, leaving her in what she described as a dark period. Barrera said she feared she had lost the career she had dreamed about since childhood while growing up in Mexico.

 

 

 

 

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She later revealed that filmmaker Boots Riley helped change the direction of her career after reaching out with a role offer. Barrera described the moment as a turning point, saying more film offers followed soon after. “I call him ‘The Wizard.’ The energy shifted,” she said, adding that she accepted The Copenhagen Test because she wanted to return to set and work consistently again.

Looking ahead, Barrera said she is now focused on launching her own production company and building projects with people who share her values. “I’m focused now on building a slate, producing, and finding good companies to partner with,” she said, adding that she wants to create opportunities for people she admires and respects.

 

 

 

 

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When asked who she hopes to collaborate with, Barrera replied, “Basically anyone pro-Palestine.” She said she has kept track of the people who publicly supported her during the backlash, naming Susan Sarandon, Tatiana Maslany, Hannah Einbinder, and Poppy Liu among them. She also called working with Javier Bardem a “dream.”

 

 

 

 

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Barrera said she now sees this stage of her life and career as "Chapter 2.” The actor is currently appearing in Titaníque as Rose, a reimagined version of the iconic Titanic character. The musical has earned four nominations at the upcoming Tony Awards, including Best Musical.