Update, 11/23: Speaking out on Instagram following her firing and Jenna Ortega's departure, Barrera wrote: "First and foremost I condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice ofany kind against any group of people,” Barrera wrote in a statement shared via her Instagram story. “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. 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. 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.”
Original post: One of horror's most iconic franchises just lost both of their leading actors. On Wednesday, Deadline broke the news that Wednesday star Jenna Ortega will not be returning for the upcoming film Scream VII, after she starred as Tara Carpenter in 2022's Scream and this year's Scream VI. The reports follow Monday's news that Melissa Barrera had been quietly fired from Scream VII due to her comments on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Variety reported that the Mexico-born actress was let go for her Instagram posts about the conflict, which referred to the situation as "genocide and ethnic cleansing."
