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| Credit: Melissa Barrera/Instagram |
Melissa Barrera, known for her role in the revamped "Scream" series, has been dropped from the upcoming film "Scream 7" due to her social media commentary on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The decision was announced by Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the movie, citing a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism and hate speech. Barrera had recently shared Instagram posts expressing support for Palestinians, leading to a swift response from the production team.
Director Christopher Landon distanced himself from the decision in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "This is my statement: Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make."
Barrera, who gained prominence with her role in 2021's "In the Heights," first joined the "Scream" franchise in 2022's installment. She reprised her character in "Scream VI" earlier this year.
The controversy unfolded as Barrera continued to share content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict on her social media platforms. Variety reported Spyglass quietly dropping Barrera as the star of "Scream 7," highlighting the industry's internal divide on the matter.
Barrera, who had been actively posting about the conflict, included donation links to humanitarian organizations in her Instagram bio. She also endorsed Artists 4 Ceasefire's open letter to President Joe Biden, joining a chorus of entertainers calling for a ceasefire in the region.
The move to remove Barrera underscores the increasing impact of social media activism on the entertainment industry and the delicate balance between personal expression and professional commitments.
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