Scream 7 star Anna Camp has apologized for resharing a post that condemned fan boycotts of the film following the firing of Melissa Barrera.
On Sunday, Camp, 43, who joined the iconic slasher franchise in its latest iteration, reshared a post from a Scream fan account to her Instagram Story. “The Boycott didn’t work, the critics didn’t work, the pathetic leaks didn’t work,” the post read. “What worked was audiences coming out and and making the film a success #Scream7.” Along with her repost, Camp included Taylor Swift’s song “Karma.”
The post was in reference to the film’s record-breaking box office debut, which came despite protests that disrupted its recent worldwide premiere in support of Barrera, who was dropped from the long-running franchise over Instagram posts the film’s production company deemed antisemitic.
Camp quickly deleted the Story and later issued a statement on X. “It has come to my attention that I reposted someone else’s story that does not reflect my personal beliefs,” the Pitch Perfect alum wrote Sunday. “I have since deleted the repost because I absolutely meant no harm. I’m sorry to anyone who was affected.”
Last week, the film’s premiere at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles was interrupted by a group of activists, marching and shouting pro-Palestine chants. Many held signs with messages, urging people to cancel Paramount+, which partnered with Spyglass Media Group as a co-producer on Scream (2022), Scream VI (2023), and Scream 7. Others also vocalized their support of Barrera, who later appeared to respond, “I see you,” with a red heart emoji on her Instagram Story.
When asked about the protests at the premiere, director Kevin Williamson told The Hollywood Reporter: “I saw them and my heart just sort of stopped. Look, we live in America. Everyone has a right to protest and everyone should be heard. And if you have your truth and if you want to stand up and be heard, you protest. That is your right in this country, and I stand by it. I support that 100 percent.”
Barrera, 35, previously starred as Samantha Carpenter in the horror franchise’s 2022 reboot Scream and its sequel Scream 6. She was expected to reprise her role in the latest sequel, but was dropped from the cast in 2023 due to a series of Instagram posts she made about the Israel-Hamas war.
At the time of her firing, a spokesperson for Spyglass told The Independent in a statement: “Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: 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.”
Barrera’s controversial removal led to a tumultuous period for the film, as co-star Jenna Ortega soon pulled out of her role as Tara Carpenter — the younger sister of Samantha — with director Christopher Landon following suit.
Williamson later stepped in to helm Scream 7, which required a major script overhaul that cost roughly $500,000, per Variety. The franchise’s original star, Neve Campbell, then boarded the film alongside returning cast members Matthew Lillard, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding. Camp, Mckenna Grace and Isabel May are among several new cast members.
Scream 7, out in theaters now, follows Sidney (Campbell) as her new, quiet life is upended by the emergence of a new Ghostface killer targeting her daughter.
