Melissa Barrera On How Jenna Ortega Supported Her Following 'Scream' Firing (2024)

As The Blast previously reported, Spyglass, the company behind 'Scream 7', announced that it has "zero tolerance for antisemitism" and Barrera would not return to the horror movie franchise.

Following her firing, Barrera received support from many of her costars, including her on-screen sister Jenna Ortega.

Melissa Barrera Fired From 'Scream' Franchise

Melissa Barrera shared a post on social media claiming that "Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity, no water."

She added, "THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.”

After seeing the post, Spyglass released a statement. “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.

Jenna Ortega Supports Melissa Barrera After She Was Fired

When speaking with ScreenRant, Barrera reflected on the “super sweet” support she received from Ortega after Spyglass fired her from the franchise.

"We talked a lot when it went down. She was checking in on me, and was super sweet. We haven't spoken in a while, but she's busy. She's crazy busy. And she's also not a great texter backer," Barrera said as she let out a laugh. "So, every time that I text her, I know, eventually, she'll get back to me. And she's just not glued to her phone like some of us are, I am glued to my phone. Which, bless her, good for her."

"But yeah, with her, it's one of those things where no matter if you don't talk for months, when we do call each other, or when we do connect or see each other somewhere, it's like no time has passed," the actress added. "We go right back to where we left off, so I am always cheering her on and I'm rooting for her, and I will protect her forever with my life."

Ortega was not the only co-star to speak on Barrera's firing.

Hayden Panettiere Says Melissa Barrera's Unexpected Firing Is 'Very Unfair'

"After she [spoke out], then a whole bunch of other actors and people in the industry started to do the same thing, right? It was almost like she just did it earlier than everyone else," she told The Messenger at the time. "You know, a lot of people hadn't really asked her how she felt."

“Melissa is such a bada-- as a human being and as an actress," Panettiere added. "She was hurt by it, but I think she took it in stride and was very, very gracious about it."

Skeet Ulrich And Matthew Lillard Support Melissa Barrera

Mason Gooding, Dylan Minnette. Tony Revolori, who starred alongside Barrera in the sixth 'Scream' film, were spotted at the premiere of 'Abigail' as well.

Melissa Barrera Addresses 'Scream' Firing

Shortly after the news broke that Barrera would not return for 'Scream 7,' she took to social media to address the situation.

"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 said on her Instagram Stores. "Every person on this earth-- regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status -- deserves equal human rights, dignity, and, of course, freedom."

"I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism. I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence," Barrera added. "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 former 'Scream' actress concluded.